Friday Flava Flave ~ Weekly Linky

This week I made another healthy concoction, this time from Real Simple magazine.  It was actually really tasty, light and fresh - perfect for a hot summer night!  I used basil from my own garden and that's always a good feeling.


Lemony Shrimp Salad with Couscous

One with shrimp - One without!

Ingredients

• 1 cup couscous
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds cooked peeled and deveined medium shrimp
• 1/2 pound snap peas, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest, plus 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Directions

1. Place the couscous in a large bowl. Add 1 cup very hot tap water and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes; fluff with a fork.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the shrimp, snap peas, tomatoes, basil, scallions, oil, lemon zest and juice, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and toss to combine. Serve over the couscous. 

So what was your favorite meal this week?  Use the linky below to link up!

Featured Blogger ~ Sit & Relax Weekend Hop

I'm doing another exciting co-hosting gig this weekend, woohoo!  I'm on a lucky streak here.  Keep it coming.  BIG MONEY!  BIG MONEY!  BIG MONEY!  Oh, wrong gig, you say?  

Right.

This time I'm the Featured Blogger over at Heartfelt Balance Handmade Life for the Sit & Relax Weekend Hop.  Now doesn't that just sound....well, nice and relaxing?  I think so, too!  So get hopping and clicking on the very zen-like photo below to go check out Michelle from Heartfelt Balance Handmade Life and as many of the link-ups as you possibly can to share the bloggy love.

Many thanks to Michelle for this opportunity!
 

Sisters - Wordless Wednesday - 7/27/11

Sisters.  (She's the glam one on the left).  I was feeling a little nostalgic as usual last night and was poring over the pictures I took when hubby and I, along with my parents, traveled to Germany to visit my sister and her family who currently live there.  This was last October (2010). They'll likely move back to the states somewhere around summer of next year, 2012.  You do the math.  OK, I'll do it for you.  That's a long time to not see my sister.  In a bloggy interview I did today, one of the questions was, "If you only had one wish, what would it be and why?"  In a nutshell, to visit my sister in Germany again because I miss her! Wouldn't you miss this face?

What Do I Look Like Blogging?

A dear friend posted something similar to this on her blog and I loved the idea.
 
What do I look like blogging, you ask?  Here you go!

Typing away, and thinking hard with pursed lips

And she's done!  And obviously crazy happy!

Battle of the Leading Men ~ I'm Co-Hosting with Mommy LaDy Club!

You didn’t know that you could find a romantic retreat on a Mom blog, did you?

Welcome to Battle of The Leading Men!

Your Romantic Getaway

Would you like to play?

First meet our special hosts, Clint Eastwood & Timothy Olyphant



Now, meet our co-hosts, Mommy LaDy Club & Recent ‘Blog on Fire’ Award Winner, Smile & Mama With Me (that's me)!

Here’s how to play:

1: Please follow, visit and comment for both of our co-hosts, Mommy LaDy Club and Smile & Mama With Me

2: Please vote in each of the paired Battles below by commenting the names of your chosen Battle champion on Mommy LaDy Club’s blog.

3: You may also link up by Sunday at midnight (go ahead, it's down at the bottom of this post) to be drawn to win next week’s co-host spot!

The Battle voting will remain open through the week, even if you missed linking up. Get all of the details at your Romantic Getaway central, and see previous match-up results.

Now…Battle On!

Battle 1:

Harrison Ford
Battle Cry: Raiders of the Lost Ark


vs.

Sean Connery
Battle Cry: Thunderball


Battle 2:

Daniel Craig
Battle Cry: Casino Royale


vs.

Russell Crowe
Battle Cry: Robin Hood


So there you have it! Your match-ups! Now, go vote and link-up at Mommy LaDy Club!

Friday Flava Flave ~ Weekly Linky 2

Another edition of Friday Flava Flave!  I made this recipe this week straight from the pages of MyRecipes.com.  It was new and different and definitely light tasting and good.  My kids ate the bread around the tuna, but hubby and I both enjoyed it.  I threw a slab of watermelon on the side and ta-dah!  There's dinner!

Tuna Melts with Avocado

Photo: John Autry; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine From MyRecipes.com

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced shallots (I used green onions, because it's what I had)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 (6-ounce) can solid white tuna in water, drained and flaked
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 avocado
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1/3 cup shredded Swiss cheese
• 2 (6-ounce) pieces French bread, halved lengthwise and toasted 

  
Preparation

1. Preheat broiler to high.
2. Combine first 6 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring well to coat. Place juice in a small bowl. Peel, seed, and chop avocado. Add avocado to juice; toss. Add avocado mixture and tomatoes to tuna mixture; toss well to combine. Sprinkle cheese evenly over cut sides of bread, and broil for 3 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Place 1 bread slice, cheese side up, on each of 4 plates, and divide tuna mixture evenly among bread slices.

Sustainable Choice: Solid white tuna is albacore, the most sustainable choice among varieties of tuna.

 

Do You Smell Smoke?

Do you smell smoke?  I hope so!  Because I'm on FIRE!  

That's right, Rachel from Cool Bean Mommas just awarded me with the 'Blog On Fire' Award.  Go check her out.  Trust me, you won't be sorry.  She's a cool Momma, indeed.  Her blog will make you laugh and even startle you at times!  ;)

I'm so honored to have received this award.  It's my first bloggy award ever and the meaning behind this one is special to me.  Thanks again, Rachel.

First, I will share seven wonderful and deep things (!) about me and then I will pass this award on to 10 bloggers who continually fan the flames of passion and inspiration through their blogs!

1) I once rode my bike into a parked vehicle.  There were lots of people to witness that fall from grace.

2) I have a silly fear of dogs.  Probably having to do with my childhood - "Horse Dog" and "Chasing Doberman" should give some indication.  I now have a lovely, little, chill chihuahua.

3) This past year my husband and I went on a two week vacation to Germany and visited the Netherlands and Czech Republic while we were there.  My passport is good for 9 more years and I want to put it to good use!

4) I have an obsession with magazines.  I love receiving them in the mail, flipping through them, ripping out my favorite recipes, articles, etc.  Then recycling.

5) I managed to talk myself out of my extreme fear of flying.  Still, I put myself in a semi-trance when taking off and landing.  I harken back to the deep breathing exercises of child birth to do so.  

6) When clothes shopping, I touch EVERYTHING.  I run my fingers over every piece of clothing on the rack, pulling out the interesting pieces.  This is something that drives my husband crazy.  And also something it seems I've passed on to my daughter. 

7) I love to hear a person speak in a British, Irish or Australian accent.  *sigh*

Now to pass on the love. The following blogs I've deemed worthy of the 'Blog On Fire' Award.

1) Wendie @ Odd Job Mamas

2) Laura @ Catharsis

3) Chene (pronounced Shana) @ Prototype Mama

4) Courtney & Betina @ Mommy LaDy Club

5) Dina @ My UN-Entitled Life

6) Michelle @ Heartfelt Balance ~ Handmade Life

7) Sue @ Cookie's Chronicles

8) Janae @ Diaries of a Grumpy Grateful Mom

9) Lindsay @ My Life as 5

10) Princess Muffintop @ Princess Muffintop

Show these awesome bloggers some love and visit them. Never stop fanning the flames of your passion and inspiration!

{New AZ Mama Post} Crafty Kids

I promised a second whimsical garden project, but you'll have to click the link to get there.  I ended up posting it on Arizona Mama.  Complete with directions.  Here's a preview though:

Garden Spoons

California Girls - Wordless Wednesday - 7/20/11

This Wednesday I'm wishing for a long, relaxing beach vacation.  Reliving our quick spring hop to Laguna Beach, CA where my cousin got married overlooking the ocean.  It was so amazing.  We got in a little (chilly) beach time before the wedding (where my daughter was the darling flower girl).  Both kids LOVED it!

Linking up with voiceBoks, Wordless Wednesday, Live and Love...Out Loud, Angry Julie Monday, Dear Crissy, Heartfelt Balance Handmade Life, and 5 Minutes for Mom.

Writer's Write and Storytell

My mother-in-law and I went to see author J.A. Jance speak last Wednesday at the Elks Theater in downtown Prescott, AZ and I was pleasantly surprised by a few things.  Not to mention the treat that it was to have my husband pick up the kids as I went downtown without a care in the world except what I was going to eat...and parking.  So, he gets a big {{{thanks}}}, of course! 

First of all, I didn't know how lovely the Elks Theater was going to be, I'd never been there.  Old.  Historical.  Luxurious.  And concessions, by the way, including the good kind: wine!  We sat on the upper level, front row and had such a nice view.

Secondly, I was surprised that Ms. J. A. Jance didn't do a reading at her reading.  About halfway through she stopped and said to the audience something along the lines of, I guess you notice I'm not reading to you.  She figures her audience is capable of reading her books, and probably have already if we're sitting in the audience.  She's a storyteller, she tells us.  (I hadn't read a single one of her books, but I plan to read all of them now)! 

Thirdly, J. A. Jance has written 43 books.  (WOW!)  Betrayal of Trust being her most recent.  Kind of inspiring, if you ask me.  I thought it was really insightful to listen to a published (43 times) author and to hear her explain her process of writing, and just how different it can be from book to book.  Her relationship with the characters, and the development behind them, was really timely for me.  In fact, I need to get off the computer now and do some writing.   

Oh, and another lovely surprise that night, I got the most fabulous parking spot right on the corner.  Score!

Sunday's Gratitude List - 7/17/11

This week I'm grateful for...

My kids. There are times I feel like I'm at the end of my rope with them, but they are two awesome individuals.  Unique.  Funny.  Smart.  Interesting.  Healthy.  Sweet.  Helpful.  Curious.  Friendly.

You know, I think I'm keeping it short this week.  I have lots to be grateful for, but when it all boils down, I'm most grateful for my family.  Every single week.


Linking up with Momma Teacher Lady and Genie in a Blog.

Image from The Graphics Fairy

Friday Flava Flave ~ Weekly Linky

What I would rather be doing on Friday night is ordering takeout.  Or better yet, hiring a babysitter and having a date night with my husband.  But alas, we are on a budget and eating out, especially with the added expense of a babysitter, seems like a luxury these days.


Instead, we eat at home a lot but I'm pretty committed to making yummy food for the family.  No, it's not always healthy, but it certainly is yummy.  So here I'm posting a highlight from our weekly family menu and hoping you'll do the same.  The added bonus?  Meal planning ideas for next week!  Don't forget to post your recipe...and a photo that we can salivate over would be the cherry on top..


The following recipe came to me from my Aunt D. at my wedding shower.  I actually had two showers.  This idea came out of the family/family friends shower and I wish I had done it with my larger shower too!  The hostesses were my mom and sister and they sent out recipe cards and instructions for filling them out with my shower invitations.  I got all my favorite family recipes to put in one common place, plus some favorites that I didn't know I'd end up loving, but did!

Italian Meatball Soup

Italian Meatball Soup
Serves 4


1 14oz can beef broth
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes with onions and garlic
1.5 cups water
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 of a 16oz. pkg. frozen cooked meatballs
1/2 c. small dried pasta (I used stellini which is tiny star shaped pasta)
1 c. frozen mixed veggies
Shredded Parmesan cheese


Stir together beef broth, undrained tomatoes, the water and Italian seasoning.  Bring to boil. 


Add meatballs, pasta and frozen veggies.  Return to boil, reduce heat.


Simmer, covered, about 10 minutes or till pasta and veggies are tender.


Serve.  Garnish bowls of soup with Parmesan (and although not called for in the recipe, I chopped up some basil straight from my garden and garnished with that, too).


So tell me, what was your favorite meal this week?  Only rule?  Do some visiting of the other linkups.  One, two, three, all?  Whatever you can do, please do it.  It's good karma.


 I'm linking my post up with - GO ahead, click 'em.  Easy peasy:

 

Rock On ~ Wordless Wednesday ~ 7/13/11

Rock On!  This was an easy project I did with the kids a few months back.  I knew I wanted a fun and whimsical garden so we gathered rocks from around the yard to paint all the colors of the rainbow.  While the kids painted their rocks with all those rainbow colors (which, by the way, mixed together eventually just turns to brown) I spent nearly all of my time painting this one rock a bright shade of orange.  Added "Rock On" and done.  Except it also looked like a little hamster so I drew eyes on it too. :D

Coming later this week: A post with another feature of my whimsical garden!


Linking up with voiceBoks.

Sunday's Gratitude List - 7/10

My first gratitude post!  I've been meaning to do this for a long time, and well, time gets away.  Better late than never!


This week I was grateful for the following:


My kids, who say the darndest things and keep life interesting.


The long phone conversation I had with my sister who lives overseas, and has for 2 years.  Miss her and her family!


Air conditioning in this warm summer season.  The way we can close our windows, turn on the a/c and kick that monsoon humidity right out of the air.


Really great and always supportive in-laws.


My hubby, who will turn another year handsome this coming week.


Jello shots.


Playing ladder ball with family.


Being able to spend quality time with my parents over the 4th holiday.


Creativity.


Kicking writer's block in the arse.


Really supportive friends and family.  And blogging friends.  Two in particular who inspired new material for next week with their insightful and thoughtful comments.


Linking up to Genie in a Blog and also Monday Listsicles:

Niffles and Polygamy

I wanted to get this quick Friday post out before it *poofs* from my brain bank.  Two quickie stories, out of the mouths of babes.

My son is 3 years old.  Sweet kid.

Last night as I was dressing him for bed, he points at his nipples and asked, "What are these?"  I quickly ran through a couple of answers in my head before deciding to tell it like it is.  Honesty is the best policy after all.  He should know he has nipples, and now he does.  Kind of.  I think.

Mama:  "Those are nipples, honey."
Son:  "NiFFles?"

I hurriedly threw his jammy shirt on and took my time shimmying it over his face because I was silent-giggling, hard.  Compose yourself, mommy!  I pulled his shirt down and smiled.

Son:  "Mama, niFFles?"
Mama:  "No, honey.  NiPPles."  Pronounced very clearly, with emphasis on the p's.
Son.  "Oh, niPPles."

And off he went without another word.  Nipples, he has.  I am just wondering when and where this conversation will surface again.  Hang on to your hats!

#2 story.  And completely unrelated to nipples...or is it?

This morning on the ride to the their summer program, my two kiddos were talking about every random thought that popped in their head.  My daughter was telling me she was going to get married someday and have babies.  My son repeated, of course, and then....

Son:  "I'm going to have five wives."

My daughter had no rebuttal.

My son, the polygamist.

Linking this little doozy up to LoveLinks14 and :

[Writer's Workshop] Top 10 TV Shows That Should Make A Comeback

This post was inspired by Mama Kat's Pretty Much World Famous Writer's Workshop weekly prompt:

- A list of 10 old TV shows you’d like to make a comeback -
So read my post and then click her logo above and go read some more really great posts that are linked up!

Let's get right to it, shall we?

• CHiPs - Oh, Ponch!  Did you know Ponch and Jon never pulled their weapons on anyone?  Never!  Click the link for more CHiPs trivia.  I'd like to see this one remade in modern day!  Who would play Ponch?  IMDB says Wilmer Valderrama will play Ponch in a CHiPS movie currently in pre-development slated for 2013.  Wonder if it'll make it?    
• Saved by the Bell - I totally remember baby sitting and watching this show.  It was on at the perfect time - nap time - so I could sit and swoon over Zack and watch crazy Jessie and wedge myself in their booth at "The Max", hanging out with them after school. 
• 21 Jump Street - I was only 9 when this first aired, but I remember Johnny Depp and Richard Grieco very well. *ahem*  Remember 'Booker'?  Grieco's spin-off show?
• Kids Incorporated - I loved this show!  The campy dancing and singing and story lines were great imagination material for kids.  I imagined myself as part of Kids Incorporated singing at The P*LACE and getting into whatever crazy story they came up with next.  Also where Fergie herself had a role for five years. 
• Arrested Development - Yes, I'm going there.  OBvious and all.  And there is an army of others with me.  The Bluth's - My favorite TV family.  This one definitely did NOT have to end.  Still angry about this one.  COMEBACK!  COMEBACK!  COMEBACK!
• Scrubs - I loved Scrubs and would cry once every episode like clockwork.  But all that will forever be stuck in my head is when they did their musical episode.  I despise musical episodes on every TV show, except Glee, which is what the show is about so they have a pass.
• The Cosby Show - Good family TV, for sure!  Mr. Huxtable and his sweaters - good material for a montage.  Rudy was so spunky and funny.  And Denise.  I kind of wanted to be her.  Then they ousted her to Africa when she got preggers in real life. 
• Mork and Mindy - Check this out - Mork and Mindy was the second spin-off of Happy Days (the first being Laverne & Shirley).  In HD episode #110 titled "My Favorite Orkan"Mork was sent to Earth to kidnap Ritchie Cunningham and take him back to Ork.  Apparently the fans loved it because Mork and Mindy debuted the very next season.
• Wallace & Ladmo - The Wallace & Ladmo Show is truly an Arizona icon. The show had a remarkable 35 ½ year run on local television station KPHO-TV5 in Phoenix. Eventually seen in AZ, northern Mexico and towns in California that were near the AZ border. The show was even briefly syndicated to Los Angeles and New York. I got a Wallace & Ladmo bag for sending in a picture of me and my pet bunny which they showed on-air, that was a pretty big deal for this little girl! 
• Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - "I whistled for a cab, and when it came near, the license plate said "fresh" and had a dice in the mirror.  If anything I could say that this cat was rare, but I thought nah, forget it, yo home to Bel-Air."  Lyrics from theme song. I have been known to bust out in random Fresh Prince songs.  When we went to California last, I took a picture of the Bel-Air sign and posted it to Facebook with a line from the song.  Oh, OK, now I have to post the picture here. 

Yo home, to Bel-Air!

So what are you watching for family TV these days?  Our kids are 3 and 5 and I just don't feel like there's alot that I'm comfortable with them watching.  There's the Disney 'tween' stuff which I don't let them watch.  Occassional Nick, Jr. but not all day/night.  We did watch The Voice with them.  Some America's Got Talent but, call me a prude, there were definitely acts on there that I didn't want them to watch.  Fast Forward!!!  

The Mom Pledge

I love the sentiment behind and believe in The Mom Pledge and so I'm proud to display the badge on my blog.  So far, in my very few months of blogging I have met the most amazing group of mom bloggers from all imaginable walks of life.  So many different stories.  From so many different parts of the world.  Work outside the home.  Work at home.  Stay at home.  Mompreneurs.  Momventors.  Movers and shakers.  You name it.  I had no idea that such a great community existed to help, support, endorse, encourage and cheer each other on.  I'm proud to be a part of the mom blogging community and I encourage all mom bloggers to take a look and pledge if you haven't already.

(Click photo to go take the pledge)

  The Mom Pledge

I am a proud to be a mom. I will conduct myself with integrity in all my online activities. I can lead by example.

I pledge to treat my fellow moms with respect. I will acknowledge that there is no one "right" way to be a good Mom. Each woman makes the choices best for her family.

I believe a healthy dialogue on important issues is a good thing. I will welcome differing opinions when offered in a respectful, non-judgmental manner. And will treat those who do so in kind.

I stand up against cyber bullying. My online space reflects who I am and what I believe in. I will not tolerate comments that are rude, condescending or disrespectful.

I refuse to give those who attack a platform. I will remove their remarks with no mention or response. I can take control.

I want to see moms work together to build one another up, not tear each other down. Words can be used as weapons. I will not engage in that behavior.

I affirm that we are a community. As a member, I will strive to foster goodwill among moms. Together, we can make a difference. 

Wordless Wednesday - Monsoon

Monsoon season arrived in Arizona over the July 4th weekend!  I took this photo from my back patio on July 4th, 2011 of the storm rolling across Prescott Valley before sunset.  This is a glorious event for us Arizonans, especially since the recent wildfires that have burned so much of our beloved forests recently.


Granted, this picture does not do the monsoon justice, but I was so excited to see it, this is what you get!  If you want to see some WOW monsoon action, click this MSNBC link to check out a picture of last night's 50-mile wide dust storm that rolled through Phoenix and then settled in our small AZ town overnight.  *cough*


Linking up at voiceBoks, Wordless Wednesday, 5 Minutes for Mom, parenting BY dummies, Live and Love...Out Loud

To Watch the Fireworks or Not?

Well, we're past all the hullabaloo of the 4th of July holiday. Rodeo, parade, BBQ, friends, family, fireworks, etc.  I was exhausted come Tuesday morning and so ready to get back to our normal family routine.  Kids to their summer program for the day, a little watering of the garden, and hubby and I to our respective home offices to catch up on and dive back in to work. 

Hubby and I were so excited to let the kids stay up late and watch the fireworks this year.  We didn't go to the big celebration in town.  It was just the four of us.  We knew we'd be able to view the show from our back patio and wanted to relax and miss all the crazy crowds. A nice quiet night.  But in reality, it was quite the opposite.  The kids really didn't care about the fireworks.  They couldn't hear the loud boom of the fireworks to scare them into paying draw their attention.  They whined.  They couldn't sit still.  They wanted to sit in mama's lap.  They wanted to sit in papa's lap.  They wanted to sit in their own chairs.  They wanted binoculars.  They ASKED TO GO TO BED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SHOW!  

Yeah, it was a little bit of a bust.  I should have put them to bed at their regular time and enjoyed a cocktail with the hub-man to watch the fireworks.  

So the question remains unanswered for next 4th of July.  To watch the fireworks or not?  They'll be a whole year older.  Perhaps it was an unrealistic expectation of them to sit quietly and view the fireworks two hours after their bedtime.  That could have had something to do with it.  But still.    

Is it just my kids?  Did your kids enjoy the show this year?  

Happy Independence Day ~ Happy Monday!

High above, over a true "home of the brave," the floating folds of the Star Spangled Banner symbolize the American way of life to soldiers in training for the battles that will bring freedom to an unhappy, wartorn world, Fort Knox, Ky. (LOC), a photo by The Library of Congress on Flickr.

It's the 4th of July - Happy Independence Day my fellow Americans! And to those reading from across the pond, Happy Monday to you!

I feel like we did all of our partying yesterday, and the day before. Today, I just want to chill.  I'm off and so is the hubby and the kids from their summer program.  My parents are here for the long weekend and heading home today.

My poor dad is currently taking a trip to the hardware store to get more supplies for this project I've volunteered him for - helping me decorate my hubby's home office. (What a trooper, my dad!)  This is a project I've been really excited about.  I purchased all the stuff before our move four months ago and have had it stashed in boxes until the perfect time came along to outfit his office.  I can't wait to do the reveal to the hub-man later, it's a surprise for him, he has no idea.  Well, he knows now that I'm decorating his office, but no idea of the theme I've chosen.  This could be very good, or very bad.  I'm stressing, wondering if he'll like it.  I'll post a picture post-reveal.  It's nothing grandiose, but at least he won't be staring at four blank walls anymore!

When the office is all finished, I truly plan on vegging with a good book on the couch. Maybe a movie later. We have Gnomeo & Juliet from Netflix right now. Family Movie Night!  No big plans for a BBQ with friends and family (we did that yesterday). We'll let the kids stay up and watch the fireworks from our patio tonight.  And chill.

Enjoy your 4th, and thank a soldier.

Thanks Brother-in-Law! <3