Tasty Wednesday!

>> Wednesday, April 30, 2008

I am a big fan of the Picky Palate food blog. I check this blog almost daily. This lady makes the most amazing food but yet simple enough for me to pull off. So after "pulling off" this Bruschetta Chicken, I had to share. This is soo yummy! Who couldn't love grilled chicken topped with melted cheese, and tomatoes tossed with garlic and basil. Oh my goodness! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!! Thanks Picky Palate~


Balsamic Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, thawed (I use the big Costco bag)
Pinch of salt

¼ Cup balsamic vinegar

¼ Cup extra virgin olive oil

8 slices fresh mozzarella cheese

4 Roma Tomatoes, seeded and diced

8 fresh basil leaves, stacked, rolled and thinly sliced into chiffonade

3 cloves fresh garlic, minced

Tablespoon balsamic vinegar


1. Preheat a grill pan over medium heat on the stovetop. Spray with cooking spray. Combine balsamic and olive oil in a bowl. Season both sides of chicken with pinches of salt and place on grill. Brush top sides of chicken with balsamic mixture. Cook for 4-5 minutes and flip chicken. Brush with additional balsamic and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes or until cooked through. During the last 2 minutes of grilling place 2 slices of cheese over top each chicken to melt.
2. In a large bowl combine the tomatoes, basil garlic, salt and balsamic. Toss gently to combine. Place chicken breasts on a serving plate and top with tomato mixture. Serve warm

Read more...

American Idol- Top 5

american idol

Neil Diamond- Who thought that the Vegas "Old Lady's man" would be on american idol. Shesh...but I guess he has a new record coming out and is trying to promote it. So how did the top 5 do according to me....

Jason- Round one:I have already emphasized how great I think Jason is. I'm not a big fan of the song he sang, but I thought he made it his own style and that made me like it. He stuck to his goofy interview and same beach bon fire attire. He gets my favorite vote tonight. Any surprise? Round two:I even liked his second song choice. I think its too bad that he is held down by being made to choose a song from the theme night. I think that has hurt him (especially since he has to sing Neil Diamond)
David C.- Round one: Finally back to his genre'. He does so much better at this rocker style than the theatre stuff. Although, I didn't care for it. Maybe its Neil Diamond's songs that I don't like. Round two:Oh....I really liked his second song choice and the way he worked it out. Especially the drum solo before the chorus. I'm a sucker for drums. Good job David. I'm pulling for you too!
Brooke- Round one: Where is Shrek? Ok...maybe too many cartoons for me lately. But what was up with her fake leather, sparkly silver pants and blue shirt? I'm not too into fashion, but wouldn't this be in a tabliod with the heading of "what not to wear"? I like brooke, but feel that she was really trying to push the envelope on this one. Round two: My Brooke is back! I really think she did great one the piano and the vocals. Yeah for Brooke! Heres hoping your not in the bottom 3 tonight.
David A.-Round one: Good greif! Can you beleive that Neil said he was a prodigy? He does sing good, but goodness....I guess to me he did ok. Just "Al'ight for me dawg" Round two: UGH! I absolutely hate this song. I don't hate too many songs, but this is one of the tops on my short list. Like I have said over and over again, he is a great singer, but I do not like him and for all of you reading this....don't vote for David A.
Syeisha- Round one- slow songs really suit Syeisha. She looked really pretty tonight and she rocked on the high long notes of the song. She did good tonight. I have never heard this song before but liked the words "Hello my friend, I know its late, but I couldn't wait to say hello" Round two: Whats w/ the bare feet? Hm....I was expecting the other two "Supremes" to come out behind her. It really sounded Mo-town to me. I agree with Randy in that it sounded very broadway.

Who's going home? My prediction is Syeisha!

Read more...

Blowing flowers

>> Monday, April 28, 2008



While blowing dandilions,


I ask the wind..


How far is far?


How high is high?


A simple answer


as the flowers float by..


You'll never know until you try.




(pictures by my talented bff)

Read more...

I heart North Carolina

>> Sunday, April 27, 2008


a laugh, a cry, a trip, a wink
a hug, a tear, a hand, a drink
an email, ancient cellphone, Sonic Smoothies
conversations, Lost, an idol, movies
car rides and too many memories to end
"starting something" and feelings to mend

Beaches, songs, riding in planes
dueling pianos and listening to trains
Dogs and fountains, Fayetteville the "City"
a photo, car rentals and sunsets so pretty
sweating, snoring and silent fears
special to me, I know that they care

a lot of hurts, smiles and long letters
a short visit to make me feel better
shopping, fun and days that are sunny
borrowing clothes and even money

piano music, and gardens galore
computer laughs, never a bore
reading, stories, writing, and dreams
love and happy high buzz beams!

sharing secrets and coded little notes
Big guy in a little coat
sympathy hugs, being naughty and bad
you’re the best friends I will ever have

Drama, talks, bowling, food
even when in our bad no sleep mood
dancing, sharing, staying sane
Mary’s cupcakes, memory lane

Garden planting and dyeing hair
My best friends are always there
Skyview, Polk, the Valley and Firsthealth too
North Carolina, I miss you!!!!

The Glorioso's (NC parents)

The most talented and beautiful best friend I will ever have

Read more...

American Idol- Top 6

>> Wednesday, April 23, 2008

American Idol

Andrew Lloyd Weber night: It was neat learning some facts about Weber. What a fascinating person and talented beyond belief. It was crazy for me to learn that he started composing at the age of 9.

Now on to the top 6 (as my least favorite lady got the boot last week, Kristy):

Syeisha- She looks good in red. I even liked the little 1920's curls she had by her ears. Cute! She should stick with broadway styles. I really liked it!
Jason- I thought it was funny that ALW joked about Jason's dreadlocks and singing Memories. This is one of my favorite songs. I even have a music box that is in Jonas' room that plays this song. I think Jason sang it great! I just love him! His voice is so "flowers floating on a pond" refreshing and soft. I know the judges ripped him apart, but he still has all my votes!
Brooke- I loved that ALW told Brooke the background of the song and that my Fav girl pulled out some praise from him. Although...WHOOPS......she messed up big. Forgot the lyrics big then stopped and had the band start the song over! Oh no Brooke! That totally lost it for me!
David A.-First of all; how cheesey it was for me to have little girls come up and hug him. However, on to the song..I absolutly love the arrangement he pulled together for this song. I still don't care for this little guy, but he did a fantastic job tonight!!
Carly- Hm...I liked her bracelet. That is all.
David Cook- When I was taking piano lessons, my teacher had me play all the songs from Phantom. Its hard for me to like this performance since I compare it to the theatre version. David is a great vocalist and he did good but I agree with Simon in the fact that I don't like this side of him. Just "Al'ight for me Dawg"

Read more...

Happy Earth Day!

>> Tuesday, April 22, 2008



To celebrate the beautiful earth, we planted sunflower seeds, had a picnic, and picked Daffodils. It was humbling to be outside with the blue sky, bright sun, and warm breeze and to witness the small and simple things that make our home, Earth, such a beautiful place. Since we picked Daffodils, I thought the poem "Daffodils" by Wordsworth would be appropriate on such an occasion. He seemed to capture what Earth Day is all about. The beauty all around us that is burned into our soul if we only let it in.

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way

They stretch'd in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils

Read more...

Holy Mother Cluckers- the Kickin' Chicks won!!!!

>> Monday, April 21, 2008

It has been said that best friends are the ones that stick by your side through the good and bad, thick and thin, rich and poor, etc. I think that I can say that I have been truly blessed to be able to find my "soul sister" (and brother) in Karen and Sam. We have been through just about everything and I'm not exagerating one bit. Tears and laughter blended together for a relationship that is bonded in love no matter the miles between us. This post is truly dedicated to the ones I love and the ones that I'm so extremly proud of. Karen and Sam entered the first Annual KidsPeace Charity Chicken Wing contest. They are known as the "Kickin' Chicks" and one of their competition booths were known as the "Mother Cluckers" (thats such a hilarious name!) After weeks of preparation and sleepless nights the Kickin' Chicks got ready to compete in their first ever food contest. Imagine this: 40 pounds of chicken, a secret rub, deep fried in a turkey fryer, then doused in a chipolte seasoning sauce. Sore finger tips from cutting chilli's, homemade cactus from a PVC pipe, and getting up at 5am. Lots of hard work and there was never any doubt in my mind that they would go home winners. Not only did they win, but they recieved two, YES TWO 1ST PLACE plaques for winning! They won the best booth design and also the Peoples Choice best wing. I am overwhelmed with pride for my BFF and want to publicly let them both know how much I care for them, love them and am so excited for their awesome acheivement! Since they didn't save me any wings (we will talk about that later-ha) I am saving the date on my calendar for next year so I can be sure to be there as they defend their title. Way to go guys and I hope you can share your recipe!!!!



Karen on the left with one of her team members


Sam "The Rooster" during the cook off
Awards! So proud of you guys! Yeah!

Read more...

Ode to Flip Flops Haiku

>> Saturday, April 19, 2008

Photobucket



Flip Flops feel like clouds
when they are new to my feet
Goodbye to my snow boots

Flip Flops feel like freedom
in the warm spring sunshine drenched day
Summer is on its way

Read more...

Children are like kites...

>> Thursday, April 17, 2008


You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground. You run with them until you're both breathless. They crash. They hit rough branches. You patch and comfort, adjust and teach them. Finally they are airborne...They need more string and you gradually keep letting it out, but with each twist of the ball of twine, there is a sadness that goes with joy. The kite becomes more distant, and you know it won't be long before that beautiful creature will snap the lifeline that binds you two together and will soar as it is meant to soar, free and alone. Only then do you know that you did your job. All this from an afternoon flying kites with my sons that brought tears to my eyes.

Read more...

American Idol- Top 7

>> Wednesday, April 16, 2008

american idol

TOP 7 and Mariah Carey Week- Shes so great! So pretty and did anyone notice her "hello kitty" bandaid and candy bracelet? How cool is that?!

David A- I wasn't diggin the leather pants. What?? He's not from a death metal band and he definatly doesn't sound nor look like Axel Rose? He sings good, but like last week, there is something about him that annoys me. I do have to admit that I watch him extra careful for any sign that he forgot the lyrics. ha
Carley- I have always thought that Carley was a great vocalist. Shes good and a bonus...she looked really nice tonight! I didn't really care for all the low notes, but her soprano was right on. Her husband is scary looking and I wish they would stop showing him after her performance. I'm sure he is a great person, but holy cow...it makes me jump and forget her song then he haunts my nightmares.
Syesha- She did really good tonight. It was neat to hear that Mariah wrote the song as a teenager. Wow! Syesha pulled it off great. Looked fantastic and even had sparkles in her hair. Cute! Usually she is in my bottom 3 pick, but not this week (but yet again, Michael Johns wasn't in my bottom 3 last week either)
Brooke-I love Brooke. I love that she plays piano barefoot. I love her bar room voice and I love that shes real. I noticed some piano mistakes which made her get nervous and speed up the song, but thats what being real is about. I hate that there was a 5 minute discussion about "wheres the meat?" hugh?
Kristy- Ugh! I am in amazement that shes signing tonight and Michael Johns is gone. What is wrong with that picture? I thought it was kinda cheesy that she added a steal guitar to her song to try and make it country. It worked, but I don't think kristy is authentic is her country approach. I think she is trying to go for the country auidence votes. Lame! Hopefully she will get the "boot" tonight!
David Cook- I liked Davids re-mix of Mariahs song "You'll always be a apart of me". Definatly up to date with whats hot right now in the music world. Really reminded me of something "Daughtry" would sing.
Jason- I LOVE JASON! With or without his guitar. He ROCKS! I loved the Santana feel to his remake of "I don't wanna Cry". So cool! I can't wait for him to just make a record so I can buy it.

Read more...

>> Tuesday, April 15, 2008


There are boys in my house – and Spiderman shoes; and 200 papers in various blues. There's Bob (he's a builder) and Thomas the Train, there's a fireman coat to wear in the rain. They have cars on their shirts and frogs on their hats, there's a glove and a ball and a red plastic bat. There's dirt on a face and a smudge on a nose; grass stains on knees and sand between toes. There's bathtime at night with bodies to scrub, and when we're all done there is dirt in the tub!There's bandaids and bruises and curious bumps, there's smiles and laughter and sometimes there's grumps. There's odors most icky; there's boogers so green; there's more yucky things than I'll ever get clean. There's piles of laundry; there's stories at night; there's bedtime and bathtime and dinnertime fights.There's cars and there's trains and there's books about trucks. There's Lightning McQueen, Tow-Mater and Dizzy and Muck. Sometimes they want tents and sometimes they want frogs; sometimes they are lions, or dinos, or dogs. There are cute little vests and darling neckties all dragged right through the mud – oh what a surprise! There's running and climbing and jumping and falling and laughing and crying and hugging and brawling. And rolling and losing and finding and creeping; and whining and stealing and sometimes there's sleeping. There's tantrums and time outs and extra loud noise – There's love in my house shaped like two little boys!!

Read more...

Playing Princess

>> Saturday, April 12, 2008

It begins when you are the littlest of girls, playing dress up and pretty princess. Trying on Moms make up and dressing your barbies. Cutting and styling your dolls hair and making your unfortunate brother your client in your very own beauty shop. Now here I am, 28 years later, embarking on my every six week journey south on US23 towards one of my favorite places on earth. A place that heightens my esteem, gives me a rush of womanhood, fills me with pleasure and most of all...makes me pretty. I travel to my salon. I walk in to the hum of hair dryers, the mist of hairsprays, and the pungent odor of dyes. I'm offered a drink (water for me of corse) and it comes in a sparkly chilled flute. I sit in an over stuffed chair while looking over a wide assortment of girly magazines. I pick up a fashion one in hopes to get caught up in the fashion world since I'm obviously behind in that area (see American Idol post-ha). A smiling lady comes to me and says shes ready for me and leads me down a hallway and into a room. There are candles and new age classical music playing. I lay on a big fluffy table/bed with a huge magnified light above my face while the smiling lady prepares the wax. I close my eyes and let myself drift to the wonders of being a woman. The warm wax is applied and I'm close to sleeping...then.....RIP! I don't know how many times I have personally undergone this experience, but it still is an awful surprise to me everytime. The feeling of pure relaxation all thrown out the window with the first pull of the cloth as she rips off my face (really just pulling off the wax on my eyebrows). After shes finished with me, I follow her upstairs where I'm taken to my stylist. There I sit in a leather chair with a drape thrown across me. We discuss what she will be doing and she begins with the highlights. Once she is finished I glance in the mirror and chuckle. I look like me, but my hair is tinfoil. I was once embarassed at this sight, but looking around the salon, I'm not the only one that is undergoing such a trial. Men and women of all ages partaking of beauty treatments that make mine look simple. The timer beeps and my favorite part of the morning begins. The wash! Maybe I'm weird, but the shampoo is my favorite. Hot water, tingling scalp from my stylist fingernails, the neck and temple rub and really just someone else washing my hair while I lay in the chair and do nothing. She then cuts and turns my head this way and that. I feel like a bobble head as she is pushing it to the left, right, down and up. Then finally the witching hour is upon me, as she turns me around to face the mirror. A choir of angels is singing in the heavens, time stands still, everything around me fades and a spot light is shining on me- OK- I'm being too dramatic- but seriously it was a beautiful moment. One that I look forward too everytime I go to the salon. The moment I get to look in the mirror at the transformation. I pay my money and slowly walk out the door. My head is held a little higher, and my posture is perfect as I get in my "cool as anything" minivan and head back home to wiping butts, scraping cherrios off the floor, dishes, laundry and the many other things that a mommy gets the pleasure of doing; but every six weeks for about 3 hours I get to pull out my dusty tiara and play princess.

Photobucket

Read more...

Seeds of change

>> Thursday, April 10, 2008

"Think small. Planting tiny seeds in the small space given to you can change the whole world or, at the very least, your view of it...."

Read more...

My American Idol thoughts

>> Tuesday, April 8, 2008

American Idol

For those that are just joining my blog experience, over the years I have become an American Idol freak. I watch it faithfully and where else could I write what I think than my blog. So sit back and enjoy my thoughts on tonights performaces. It may even inspire you to watch AI too.
This weeks theme was Inspiration week?

First of all, I guess Paula was trying to inspire her chest to be big?! Good greif, she was falling out of her dress and I was hurting for her. I have "Straight up" always been a fan of Paula, but tonight "Opposites (did not) Attract". Owie~
Okay- on to the goods:

Michael Johns- What was up with his tie if that is what you would call it? Am I so out of touch with fashion, that this look is coming back? On a good note, I do like that classic rock is being pulled into AI this year. I love classic rock!
Syeisha- She sang a Fantasia song which I thought was risky, and I like the Fantasia version better but she did ok. I'm predicting a bottom 3 vote.
Jason- He sang my ALL TIME FAVORITE SONG! Israel Kamakawiwo Ole's "Somewhere over the rainbow". I had this song on our professional picture slideshow that was sent out last year (if you remember). This just instills my love for Jason! Here is the link for the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A2Jt4WOxN8
Kristy- Pretty cool song choice tonight and she sang it good, though I still do not like her as much as I like some of the others. I'm still hoping that she goes home.
David Cook- He is one of my favs, but I didn't like his song choice tonight and I didn't think he sang it good. I'm agreeing with Randy and Simon tonight. "Weak"
Carley- I don't even know what to write about her. I think she sings good, but I thought tonight was really bad for her (even down to her clothing picks) and why did she come on stage with this bad attitude on her face?? Simon was right on when he said it was an angry performance. I felt the same thing. Very mean song and not at all "inspiring" unless I was preparing for a WWF fight.- lol
David Archuleta- There is something about him that I don't like and I can't put my finger on it. However he picks good songs (or should I say his daddy picks good songs-ha). I know the teeny boppers love this kid and I guess if I was 20 years younger I may too, but I'm saying "just ok for me dawg"
Brooke- This girl is so good. Jason may be my #1 guy pick, but Brooke is by far my girl pick. I love her natural, earthy style in singing and clothes. I'm excited to see what she does every week. I love her


VOTE FOR JASON!

JASON CASTRO!

Read more...

How'd they turn out??

>> Monday, April 7, 2008

I know you all are just on the edge of your seats wondering how my dehydrated fruit turned out. You have been checking my blog everyday for signs of updated news. I know....I know....I failed you. Though on a serious note, my dehydrator ROCKS!!! My banana chips came out so soft and actually edible instead of those rock hard, "break your teeth off" chips you buy from the store. I will NEVER buy banana chips ever again. My apples were the biggest hit! Not crunchy at all and dipping them in cinnamon & sugar was the best idea my little brain has ever had. The strawberries had disapeared in the first hour. Some of the sugar dripped onto them from the apples and they were sooo tasty. I probably ate more of those than the boys but I love strawberries. Lastly my fruit leather was good. It wasn't quite as thick and sticky as most store bought leather, but I thought it was better. The boys liked it and it handled a wal-mart trip good without stickiness and dyes all over clothes and hands. Everything I made was gone in 3 days. I'm not even lyin! ha! I'm making a batch of apples and ba-new-news right now. Come on over and sample some for yourself!





Read more...

Spring Fever

>> Sunday, April 6, 2008




Sunshine, blue skies, warm breeze, and light spring jackets. Robins, bunnies, fun at the park...but lots of brown. Brown everywhere! I hate the color brown!

Read more...

Is it possible....

>> Saturday, April 5, 2008

Is it possible for Moms to get carpotunnel syndrome? Is it possible to file a workers compensation for it? Is it possible to get carpotunnel's from the many hours of constant cleaning, cooking, playing, and really just being a mommy? Well, I will confess that this week my wrist has been killing me. I don't know what happened (though I suspect it happened when Zaiden came charging at me like a line backer going for a quater back sac and jammed my wrist as I was trying desperatly to defend myself). I have tried wrapping it, soaking it, and not using it (ha! that one was easy) and it still bothers me. I will even be laying in bed and it will just start throbbing. So as I'm writing this, I'm trying to figure out how I can put in an insurance claim. Mommies can't be "out of work" due to injuries!


broken wrist

Read more...

The best invention EVER!!!

>> Wednesday, April 2, 2008

For as long as I can remember, I have been a very light sleeper. As soon as my eyes close, my hearing intensifies. I have slept on the couch, in the spare bedroom, in a bathroom in a hotel and have gone so far to shove toilet paper in my ears to try and get some zzzz's. When my family came to visit us, I was forced to give up the bed in the spare room so I relunctantly bought some earplugs. I went with Mack's pillow soft earplugs. They are silicone and moldable. Let me just state that these things are the bbeeesssttt! I have slept soundly for the past week. I lay down, shove in the earplugs and I'm out for the night. No more getting up in the middle of the night. No more bruises and knee jabs for Jon. No more huffing and puffing into the other bed. I'm actually sleeping and I wake up feeling refreshed. These earplugs have saved my health, my sanity and my life.

Read more...

Happy Earth Day!

>> Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Go Green Wallpaper

I'm apart of this great website called http://www.realmomsrock.com/. On a recent blog posting, the subject of earth day was raised and what you do to "stay green". This was my reply, but thought it was such a good subject that I should post here too. Going green has been a goal for our family for 2008, especially since we watch discovery channel so much and some of those shows really get you thinking (Thanks Al Gore!)... Anyway, found this info somewhere and thought I would share. Something each of us can do to be apart of "going green". Our family did it in January and its truly amazing to open the mail box and just pull out 1 peice of mail. (oh man...just a bill) The solution was Green Dimes! For only $20 you can get started with the Free Me service and the Green Dimes team will take you off dozens of mailing lists (for every member of your family plus past tenants), you will stop receiving unwanted catalogs and they will plant 10 trees on your behalf!! How cool is that!?! Green Dimes will monitor your account every month to make sure you are junk mail free! Also, for an extra $16, you can get the Green Me option which is the Free Me service plus a reusable bag, Green Times T-shirt, 2 energy saving bulbs, and a children’s book! What a fabulous service! Save the environment and save yourself from junk mail! To get started going green, visit http://www.greendimes.com/

Read more...

About This Blog

Blog Archive

Blog template by simplyfabulousbloggertemplates.com

Back to TOP