January 13, 2014 - Oh Happy Daze

Taking a Break

Ok so I have to take a break from my month of purging excess possessions because something pretty awesome just happened. My cousin Jo-Lynne gave a shout out to my blog. From her blog. She is a blogger…. like a real blogger. She’s legit. And I am so honored that she even reads my blog in the privacy of her own home, probably in her jammies with a cup of coffee, but I am completely blown away that she would share it with others.

And so I made a face like this one when I found out.

Which is pretty accurate, as it is true that Taylor Swift displays an uncanny likeness to me: we both have hair… and teeth.
So anyhow, now I’m all nervous about my writing and self conscious about the fact that my blog is less than stellar and half the links don’t work. Meh, I guess I’m not self conscious enough to do anything about it. So, thanks Jo-Lynne for the vote of confidence. Wordy bloggers of the world, unite!

October 1, 2012 - Oh Happy Daze

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

I Know, I know… I am equally surprised that I’m posting a recipe on my blog. And one that I have actually made, to boot!

I’m not sure how or why but something changed when I had Charlotte. Well, lots of things changed actually, but I have noticed a few new things about myself that I am really starting to like.

First off, I suddenly have very little interest in spending money on myself. This came as a big shocker to me! What?! Polka-dot rain boots on clearance? Just kept walking right on past. New fall nail polish color? Nah, I’ve got plenty of other colors at home. New curly hair miracle product? That’s alright, I’m ok with my frizz. My priorities have definitely shifted. I also know that if I want to be able to go back to work only part-time then Chris and I really need to reign in our spending. Don’t worry, we are big savers too, but until now we have been able to splurge on extras (like yummy DD coffee <3 ) without really worrying about the bottom line. In the long run, I’d much rather give up things for myself so that I am able to be home with Charlotte, as I’m sure every parent does. So… that means trying to cook more meals at home.

Secondly (is that a word?!), I have become quite the homemaker over the past few weeks. Now that I am finally feeling better I have started to enjoy doing more around the house. Up until now I was usually too exhausted after a 10 hour work day to do any substantial house work. I would typically just come home, eat dinner, watch some tv, then crash for the night (especially when pregnant). Fridays were my day off and the day I would typically try to get things done around the house, but that usually resulted in me feeling completely overwhelmed with my long to-do list. Or I would start a project that would somehow result in creating even more of a mess.

Let me just steam this work shirt for Chris… hmmmm the steamer isn’t working… commence hour long attempt to de-calcify the steamer…that doesn’t work so I track down some tools and take it apart… find nothing… put it back together… get out the iron… ironing board crashes down on my toe… I get out the clippers and trim my toe nails… then paint them… then organize the drawer that the clippers are in… find something that belongs in another room… take it to that room… probably the kitchen where I decide I need a snack. WHAT?! It’s 5:00. oops, I didn’t cook dinner. or, um, finish any task today for that matter.

It’s all very “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” now that I think about it.

Now, the cleaning and organizing I’m still working on but I HAVE been cooking dinner quite a bit. And if you know me at all then you know that this is quite a feat! I never cook. Except for the occasional mac & cheese and spaghetti when we are desperate.

ok, all of that to say –> I’ve been cooking. here is a recipe that is yummy. you should try it.

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Cooking time: Not really sure… let the crock pot do the thinking. (man, writing a recipe is difficult)

Serves: at least 6? at least. Chris and I have been eating this meal for several days now (and Chris eats about 4 tacos per meal, I eat about 2).

Ingredients

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts – frozen or thawed. (side note: I bought Tyson frozen boneless skinless chicken breast from Walmart and was pleasantly surprised that they were individually frozen. At first I was like “what the heck?” but it actually made it easier to thaw without getting chicken juice everywhere – You just stick the number of breasts in a warm water ‘bath’ (which also cuts out the whole ‘microwave defrost’ thing), then open up each individual packet and get cookin’. Also, this recipe is so flexible – you could easily add more chicken breasts and increase the amounts of the other ingredients to cook for a larger group.
1 packet of taco seasoning – (I used an awesome recipe for homemade seasoning that I found here. It was SUPER easy to throw together and cuts back on the preservatives found in the packaged kind. If I can do it, you can do it). If you choose to make your own taco seasoning using the recipe on the link, use 1/2 of it for this recipe.
1/2 jar of salsa – spicy level of your choosing (I used what was left of an already opened jar in the fridge since we were out of chips anyway)
Whatever fixins you like for your tacos – tortillas, cheese, sour cream, guacamole , lettuce, tomatoes, etc.

Instructions

Set your crock pot to high and put the chicken at the bottom. Then throw the taco seasoning and salsa on top, covering the chicken.
Set it and forget it! 6 hours if chicken is frozen, about 4 if it is thawed. I cooked the chicken from frozen and I’m pretty sure it was done way before the 6 hours (especially since I put it on high) – you are probably better at this than me so use your best judgement depending on how quickly you want it to be done… or use a meat thermometer 🙂 Also, even though I cooked it for a really long time, it was still very juicy. Also, I didn’t really “set it and forget it” – I turned the chicken breasts over about 3 hours into it, just for good measure, but I don’t know that this was necessary.
Take two forks and shred the chicken – mix into the awesome juices at the bottom of the crock pot and assemble your tacos!

November 6, 2011 - Oh Happy Daze

C is for Cookie

October was full of celebrations for our family. Baxter’s first birthday and our first wedding anniversary (you can find the excitingly detailed photographic recount of these events here and here). My nephew’s 2nd birthday was at the end of the month and I am sadly just now getting to this post.

Bare with me, I’m trying out writing this post in my actual WordPress page… it’s a bit difficult and I’m struggling to get words into the places I want them – which seems simple, but somehow is not. So, as usual, I will just let the photos do the talking. The party was Sesame Street themed and my sister made everything (food, decor) using her own crafty DIY mind. It was a great day, and I am so glad my brother was able to celebrate with us before he went back to boot camp.

Happy Birthday Sweet Nephew!!!

June 10, 2011 - Oh Happy Daze

An anniversary party…

So my parents have been married for a measly 30 years and my siblings and I thought that was sort of something worth celebrating.

just kidding…. my parents have been married for THIRTY years.

and that is AWESOME. and that should be CELEBRATED!

So that’s what we did. I thought about having the celebration be a surprise party, but I could definitely see my mom (you remember, the new kidney wielding momma?) calling me the day-of the party to say that she wasn’t feeling her best so they wouldn’t be coming to whatever fake-distraction-event I had presented to them as a ploy. It was actually the best decision to not surprise my parents, because in the end we decided to have it at their house.

I made the banner using scrap fabric I uncovered in my newly organized craft room (more on that later)

Cornhole is a must for added entertainment.

The umbrellas and tablecloths are the same ones from our wedding (which I am still attempting to post about….it’s very overwhelming, I’m not sure where to start).

The favors.

Photos of my parents through the years.

I love this series of photos – the same angle of my dad holding my sister, myself, and my brother as babies, then holding my sister’s two boys the same way.

I think he might actually be wearing the same shirt in several of them.

I love my parent’s wedding photos.

It’s a good feeling to have parents who truly love each other

A memory book.

The dessert table.

It was great to see all of the friends and family who have supported my parents throughout their lives so far.

Like father Like daughter.

As each year passes I find myself becoming more and more like him.

Which I think is awesome.

On a separate note, I just want to take a moment right now to give a shout-out to my hubby. He (and my baby brother too, now that I come to think of it) put in so much work the day of the party and I was just a teeny bit stressed out, which I feel badly about because I’m sure I didn’t make it easy on them. They handled it like pros though.

My mom with Cathy (the awesome Kidney donor) and her husband.

Our family, minus my brother-in-law and two nephews.

The girls.

My sister and I have very different personalities and we aren’t often on the same page when it comes to most things– which I think is fairly common in siblings – but I love that somehow we managed to coordinate wardrobes for the party without even trying!

I never realized how much my brother and I look a like.

On a side note, he is about to ship off for basic training and will join the marine reserves. I’m glad he was able to be here for the party.

I love the twinkle lights.

All of the decor and the location made for a very romantic and relaxed party atmosphere.

It was a great night. My parents are totally worth it.

My only regret…I didn’t get a photo of the happy couple!!! grrr.

OHappyDaze

Looking for the lovely in life.

Entertaining

Taking a Break

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

C is for Cookie

An anniversary party…