"Easter" Trip. Part 2.

We had so much fun looking at all of the butterflies! It was a lot neater then I thought it was going to be.

Getting ready to go in. It was so windy.

Landon was telling us about all of the different stages they go through. He amazes me with the things that he knows.

The boys trying to spot the caterpillars.

HUGE butterfly.

No really. HUGE. I was afraid to get too close to it. I didn't want it to fly away.

It's as big as his head!

They had plates of fruit out for them to eat. It was so neat to watch them.

This poor guy was all beaten up.

They had an area where all of the cocoons were pinned up. You could stand there and watch them hatch. It was really neat.

Here we is!

Justin was done with me taking random pictures of him. This was a little before he would make a nasty face every time I took the camera out. The joys of boys.

"Easter" Trip. Part 1.

We had a really great trip. It's always nice to spent time with the boys and Justin and I always have the best talks when we are in the car for a long time.

While I was packing I needed to keep Landon out of my hair so I let him color on the stove. He's never aloud to touch it so it was a HUGE treat for him. It's funny what little things make kids so happy.

Here he is on our drive. He was so good. I will post later about all of the things we have to keep him busy in the car.

Our room was HUGE! We have stayed in many hotels in the past few years and it's always different. I thought that since we had 2 queen beds that we wouldn't have a lot of floor space but I was wrong we had tons. It was nice for Landon since he got to run around a bit.

I love them both so much. I'm so glad that they are so close.

More to come tomorrow.

TATT Tortellini Alfredo

It's another great Tuesday! Click on the icon to go to Andreas blog to see all of the other great recipes people are putting up today!

I made this last week and it was soooo good! I was a little surprised how much I liked it. I love trying new things and I like it even more when they turn out good!




From: Campbell's Kitchen
Serves: 6

Ingredients:


1 pound Italian-style turkey sausage, casing removed (I used groud beef sausage)
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)
1/2 cup water
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 pound frozen cheese-filled tortellini
2 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves
Grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Cook the sausage in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until it's well browned, stirring frequently to break up meat. Pour off any fat.

Stir the soup, water and tomatoes into the skillet. Heat to a boil. Add the tortellini and reduce the heat to low.


Cook for about 5 minutes or until the tortellini is tender but still firm.
Stir in the basil.
Serve with cheese if desired.




Click on this icon to head over to my recipe blog where you can find this recipe and many more!

Friend Making Monday

I saw a few people doing this and I thought it would be tons of fun! Go here to see who else is doing it!

Today's task: 10 things that just really get you fuzzed up (that means makes you mad).

1. Know-it-all's and one-uppers.

You can't have a bigger and better story for everything I have done/been through and honestly it's not possible that everything that has happened to me and/or my friends and family has happened to you. Please let me tell a story. Also I doubt you know everything about everything. It's alright to not know the world it won't make me think any less of you I swear.

2. On that note. People who know nothing.

Please educated yourself on something. I don't expect you to be a genius by any means but before you tell me that my religion is wrong know what you are talking about. I don't think everyone should believe everything I do but make sure your facts are true.

I love a good conversation but if you don't know anything but the good reality TV shows that are on (i love reality TV so I'm not a hater) then maybe we weren't meant to be friends.

3. Press CLEAR!

I HATE it when people leave numbers on the microwave (hey I didn't say all 10 were sane gripes did I?)

4. Pushers.

You know the people who think a certain way about something and make you think the same way. Most of the time its about the deadly subjects like politics, money, abortion, religion...or how to raise your kids/run your marriage. I like the way I think. Thank you.

5. Ding-ers.

When you are in the parking lot and someone hits your car with their door or cart and says nothing! It's like HELLO I see you! I make sure they see me get out to make sure they didn't hurt the car.

6. Rude people.

I understand having a bad day, but being mean for no reason is uncalled for! Suck it up or stay at home.

7. Trying on clothes.

I HATE IT! I'm so laid back that it's such a big deal to go out, search the racks and pray it fits you right. I buy things before I try them on and so far its worked out well for me.

8. Heat.

I hated living in SC during the summer it was way too hot. I would much rather be too cold then too hot. I hate sweating.

9. Bad pet owners.

I love animals and I would gladly keep your dog for you so it doesn't sit outside all day and night. I understand if they like to be out during the day, mine does to. But when the poor thing never gets to come in and you don't feed it as much as you should...shame on you! It's sad to listen to animals outside crying for love and attention.

Last but not least.......

10. TP bandits!

When you are going pee and you notice that your husband used the last of the TP and didn't tell anyone. It's not that hard to go get another roll!

Feel free to go join in and tell us yours!

Boys

My boys that is. I think it's so funny to have Justin and Landon wear similar clothes (I never buy clothes knowing that they match it just happens). Justin doesn't mind it so I do it all the time. It's even funnier when Justin doesn't notice until someone comments on it.

These are the outfits that the boys wore out this past weekend. I had a shirt that would have matched also...but I would NEVER go that far. Pictures are the only time we all match.

Now I know where Landon gets his pouty face from.

I'm going to be gone for a few days. Doubt we will have Internet and I don't think I want to answer my phone. It's time to spend some good time with the boys before Justin starts underways again. Talk to you all on Monday!

Forts & Friends

I LOVE my friends kids. I love that our kids play so well together even with a good age gap.

I watched my friends little boy a few times last week for her. It was so much fun. He's such a good little kid. He never cries or whines and he does exactly what I ask him to...and he's not even 2!


This is Kaidyn and Landon eating popcorn. Landon likes me to make a few bags and then dump it all in there so he can eat it.

Kaidyn was quite for a little while so I went to look for him. He was just sitting there looking at a pencil (debating on whether to draw on the walls or not I'm sure).

He cracks me up. He's such a happy little guy.

Then later in the week my friend and her little girl came over to visit. Landon and Belly had tons of fun playing in the box.

Not much has been going on here. I feel like I don't get any time with Justin which sucks and I do my best not to get all stressed about it but its hard. We are buying Landon his massive swing set this weekend so that should be fun. I'm excited for him to have it. He always wants to go to the park and I'm fine with that but after an hour I'm done....so if we have a park in our backyard he can play on it as much as he wants to.

In other random news I'm started/joined a bible study. I'm so excited. I think it will be just what I need!

Swap boxes!

I have been doing a swap with a few military wives for a few months now. It has been sooo much fun! If anyone would like to join in please let me know and I will add you to the list. I will be drawing names for the next box this weekend.

Last months box. It was a green theme! I LOVED it! I have a strange love of lime green and hot pink!

Speaking of strange love....Vera Bradley! This is this months box. It was a pastel theme. I got pink and green Vera place mats!!!!! I was freaking out when I saw the box.

Pretty huh!

I love them and I am so excited to put them on my table!

April Fools! TATT

Go check out all the other great recipes at Andreas Blog!

Ingredients
Makes 6 cupcakes!

6 Vanilla Cupcakes, baked in silver foil liners

To make the drumstick cupcakes, first download and print the bone template

FOR THE DRUMSTICKS
1/4 cup white chocolate melting wafers, melted
1 cup Vanilla Frosting
3 plain store-bought doughnut holes
1 cup cornflake crumbs

FOR THE MASHED POTATOES
1 yellow fruit chew, such as Laffy Taffys or Starbursts, cut into a 1-inch square
3 tablespoons Vanilla Frosting
1/2 tablespoon store-bought caramel sauce, heated

FOR THE PEAS AND CARROTS
3 orange fruit chews, such as Tootsie Fruit Rolls or Starbursts, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
2 tablespoons Vanilla Frosting
Green gel food coloring
2 tablespoons hard green candies, such as Runts

FOR THE CHOCOLATE PUDDING
3 tablespoons Chocolate Frosting
1 teaspoon colored sprinkles
Directions

To make the drumsticks:

Place the bone template on a baking sheet. Cover with parchment paper; set aside. Place melted chocolate into a resealable plastic bag and snip a 1/8-inch corner from the bag. Following the bone template, pipe an outline onto the parchment paper. Fill the bone in with chocolate and lightly tap pan to smooth top of chocolate. Repeat process 3 times. Refrigerate until firm, about 5 minutes.

.

Spread vanilla frosting on top of 3 cupcakes, mounding it slightly. Place 1 doughnut hole on top of each cupcake. Spread frosting over the doughnut hole until it is smooth and covered.

Place cornflake crumbs in a medium bowl. Gently press frosted cupcakes in crumbs to cover completely. Place cupcakes in a 6-cup disposable aluminum cupcake baking tray.

Using a sharp knife, make a small slit in the top of each crumbed doughnut hole. Carefully peel 1 chocolate bone from the parchment paper and insert the pointed end into one of the slits. Repeat with remaining 2 bones and cupcakes.

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To make the mashed potatoes: Spread vanilla frosting on 1 cupcake, mounding it slightly. Use a small spoon to create a well in the center of the frosting. Place cupcake in aluminum baking tray. Place yellow fruit chew in the well at an angle. Drizzle caramel sauce on top of cupcake so that it fills the well and spills over like gravy.
.

To make the peas and carrots: Color vanilla frosting with green food coloring and spread on top of 1 cupcake. Arrange orange fruit chews and green candies on top of cupcake, pressing them into the frosting. Place cupcake in aluminum baking tray.

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To make the chocolate pudding: Place chocolate frosting in a resealable plastic bag; press out all the excess air and seal to enclose. Snip a 1/4-inch corner from the bag. Pipe chocolate frosting into a spiral swirl onto the remaining cupcake. Top with sprinkles and place in aluminum baking tray. Serve.

Recipe from cookbook "Hello Cupcake" but gotten off Mathastuart.com picture from Cupcakes take the cake (Google image search).

Whats on your fridge?

Awhile back Becca posted about what was on her fridge. I have been meaning to post mine but I always forget to take pictures of it when I have the camera out. Well last night I did it! Here is a look at what is on my fridge.

This is the front....nothing too special. Sorry. But I will explain what I do have.

Hatley has the funniest magnets! I bought them on my girls trip to Whistler this past fall.

The top picture is of Justin and I when we were in High School. We got in the hot tub with all of our clothes on....it was great.

The bottom picture is of our little family at Waterfront Park in SC. We loved going down there in the summer.

My Sub stuff and shrinky dinks.

My best friend bought these for us. They are so bright and cheery! I love looking at them. The dog makes me laugh every time I just can't help it, he has the same goofy look as hotdog does.

Left side. That calendar is my life! I write everything on there. Since we got married I always get the same kind of calendar every year. The yellow Curious George pad is my shopping list and the pink on is my meal list for the month.

R for Rowan. I love the yoga magnet....it's so true.

My husband loves video games. I don't.

Last years Eagles schedule.

This is the right side....the side no one sees (but you now). It has random recipes that I like, the Ward phone list and my liquid measure equivalents magnet (which has saved me tons of times!).

If you feel like posting whats on yours leave me a comment so I can go check it out.

Cheesy Baked Tortellini

We love this! It's so good and it's easy! We eat it with Cesar salad and bread sticks.

Cheesy Baked Tortellini

Ingredients

Olive oil
2 C. marinara sauce
1/3 C. mascarpone cheese (Soft cheese. harder to find. We couldn't find it at walmart but stop & shop had it. It's where you buy the Humus)
1/4 C. chopped fresh parsley leaves (1/3 that amount if dried)
2 tsp thyme (1/3 that amount if dried)
1 lb cheese tortellini
2 oz thinly sliced mozzarella cheese
1/4 C. grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350

Lightly oil an 8x8 dish

Whisk sauce, mascarpone cheese, parsley and thyme in a large bowl.

Cook tortellini in salted boiling water until just tender (about 2 min.) Drain.

Add tortellini to sauce and toss to coat. (I didn't toss in the baking dish I just forgot to take a picture of it when it was still in the bowl...sorry)

Transfer to baking dish and top with Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Cover and bake until the sauce bubbles and the cheese on top melts. (about 30 min)