Shepherds Pie....I think!

What to cook for dinner is a question that plagues me daily!  I love cooking and my husband prefers a home cooked meal, so I try to cook on most nights.  Don't get me wrong, there are many nights where this DOES NOT happen....but I can honestly say that I try my best.  As roamed the grocery store this afternoon looking for inspiration I was feeling completely stumped.  I wanted something good and hearty for Carter, but also full of vegetables and nutrition for Rhyan.  I ended up buying a hodge podge of things and created what I think is basically Shepherds Pie.  My sister Logan joined us for dinner and my "Shepherd Pie" was a success.  I thought I would share the recipe in case you ever want a slightly random, but veggie packed dinner. 

Ingredients:

1/2 pound Yukon gold potatoes (cut into 1 inch pieces)

1 pound lean ground beef or turkey

1/2 cup onion (diced)

2 cloves of garlic (chopped)

1 cup frozen peas (thawed)

1 cup chopped carrots

2 cups of fresh spinach (chopped)

1/2 cup chopped mushrooms

1/2 cup crushed tomatoes

6 ounces tomato paste

1.  Preheat oven to 400.

2.  Place potatoes in large pot and cover with water.  Boil until fork tender.

3.  Mash the potatoes and season to your liking.  I added milk, 1/2 stick butter, chipotle seasoning,

     salt, and pepper.

4.  Brown the meat; then drain and set aside.
5.  Coat your saute pan with cooking spray and then saute onions and garlic until soft.
6.  Add the next 6 ingredients and simmer; then return meat to the mixture.

7.  Pour the meat and vegetable mixture into baking dish and then top with the potatoes.

8.  Bake for about 20 minutes then serve.

Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies

Unfortunately for me I developed a huge sweet tooth during my third trimester of pregnancy.  I could not go to bed without at least 4 Pillsbury break and bake chocolate chip cookies...after R was born I refused to buy these because it was no longer acceptable for me to gain insane amounts of weight.  During my withdrawal period I starting baking my own cookies and convinced myself this was a healthier alternative.  I decided that a peanut butter cookie would be best...you know because of the protein.  I also decided that if I threw in some oats I would really be on the right track.  After several rounds of making these healthy cookies I finally got the recipe right.  I hope you enjoy!  xoxo

Ingredients:

1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup of oats
2 T honey
dash of cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.  Combine all ingredients and stir until well mixed.  Roll into 1 inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake for 10-12 minutes and then cool. 

These are so easy and quick...I think you will love them!  Don't forget that if you want to give them a little veggie boost you can substitute 1/3 cup of sweet potato puree for the egg.  If you do this they will need to cook a little longer.  Let me know what you think!

Heels, Hats and Happiness

I LOVE great shoes and truly believe that most people look better in heels!  I am also a huge fan of accessories...I mean let's get real, what girl isn't?!?!  As I watched the Royal Wedding I was in awe of the beautiful hats that were a fashion must at the big event.  I think that getting dressed up and putting on a little something extra can be so much fun!  With all of that being said, last Friday was a perfect afternoon!  I had the pleasure of hosting a party in honor of my sweet sister Connor and two of her adorable friends, Ann and Emma.  These precious girls, along with eight other dolls, just started there debutante party season.  They will be honored at several parties over the next two weeks and I am jealous of all the fun they are going to have.  The party that I helped host was a High Tea.  My grandmother, Mimi, is the one who first came up with this brilliant idea (way back when Logan was a deb).   All of the girls attended, along with their mothers and grandmothers.  Everybody looked wonderful and nobody forgot their hat or gloves. I loved celebrating such a great group of girls and I  don't think the party could have been better!

The tables looked stunning and were just perfect for High Tea.  It was so fun to have an excuse to use beautiful china, crystal and silver.  A HUGE thanks to my mom for doing the flowers!  Can you believe how talented she is???

All of the hosts

Mimi and her precious friends, Bobby and Mary

Stuffed tomatoes topped with almond slivers

Puff pastry filled with Brie and sliced pear

Puffed pastry filled with spinach and feta

Cucumber bites topped with boursin, asparagus spear and olive

Key Lime Tarts

Petit Fours

We also served chicken salad sandwiches, brownies, cake balls, and fruit!  A big thanks to the Abilene Woman's club for catering!

Such a cute group of girls!

We love Coco!

I love this picture...the hats are all so great!

At the end of the party each honoree was given a box full of puzzle pieces and the girls worked in teams to put the puzzle together.  Each puzzle was a different picture of Connor, Emma and Ann.  Such a cute idea, way to go Mimi! 

Cheers to a great party and a great day!

Back on the Wagon!

Back on the Wagon!

WOW…I can’t believe I have only been a blogger for about a month and I have already fallen off the wagon!  I don’t really have any excuses, it just seems as if life is moving at warp speed as of lately. 

I feel like just yesterday Rhyan was a newborn baby and I was trying to figure out how on earth to be a mama.  Now, she is almost 18 months and running circles around me…I however am still trying to figure out how to be a mama.  She has almost a full mouth of teeth, eats using utensils, can put on her own shoes, and even speaks in complete sentences (well 2 sentences).  How did this happen, where is my baby?!?!?  I love the precious little girl she has become, but I also miss the days where she would cuddle up and sleep in my arms.  Anyway, you would not believe the personality God blessed her with.  She is a firecracker and definitely pushes the boundaries, but she is the most loving child all at the same time.  Carter and I pray that God will use her strong spirit to bring Glory to his name and that he will make us worthy to raise such a special gift from him.  We have never felt a love like we feel for our sweet girl, it is so unlike anything in this world.  It makes me think about the great sacrifice that our Heavenly Father made for us and I am speechless.  Glory be to God!!!



Delivery Day



12 Months



Almost 18 Months



Now, onto what we have been up to lately….

We spent a ton of time at the ranch and had a great time!  Rhyan mowed the yard with Carter and had lots of great playtime with her cousins!  We love spending time with the Llewellyn Crew!

One cute pair!

Rhyan loves Mame!

Little Cowgirl!

Sweet Ross

I want to be just like Margaret!

She is my BEST FRIEND!

Pop, Rhyan, Carter

Thirsty...why not share with the dogs?!?!

Aunt Amy and Carter

Uncle Biggy

We have also spent some time in Abilene.  Our first trip was a little unexpected, but we got some good quality time with Mimi and Daddy Bill.  They were flying home from Florida and there connecting flight to Abilene was canceled because of bad weather. Sweet Logan went to pick them up from the airport and brought them back to my house for a slumber party.  The next morning Rhyan and I drove them home and spent a few days with my family.  It was a great spur of the moment trip! 

I love Nana!

Aunt Bird and Lamby Sammy always make me smile!

I can always get a laugh out of Mimi (Baby) and Daddy Bill!

And Finally....we have had another first.  It may be a little tacky, but it is also pretty cute!  I was painting my toes and Rhyan would not stop sticking her feet in my face saying, "mine."  So I decided to give it a try.  To my amazement she sat perfectly still until her little toenails were painted and dry!  She is such a little doll and makes my heart sing!  She is a total girl...did I tell you that she tried to shave her legs?!?!?!  WHEW, she is just the best!!!!

You can't really tell, but there is pink polish on those cute toes!