Possibly the cutest little thing I have ever seen.

Matt and I were with some friends one night when he blurted to the table, “We have to go..I have an errand to run and we have to get there before 9”. I asked him what he was talking about and he wouldn’t say. We jumped up and headed to wherever it was he had to go. We peeled up in front of Toys R Us at 8:47 and he said, “I have to get my niece (Avery) a present for her first Birthday!” I had already gotten some gifts which he had no real recollection of when I got them or what they were…like most men, so it really melted my heart that he wanted to go and pick out his very own gift to give to her. We walked in and I told myself that I would not say ANYTHING about what I think he should get her. I just followed him around curiously wondering what he would pick. He said he wanted to get her a stuffed animal. I didn’t have the heart to tell him she already had 5 million that were piling out of her little stuffed animal box in her room and so I smiled and said, "She will love that!"He wondered the aisle picking up some…touching the soft ones…and finally he chose this really realistic looking tiger (figures). I have to admit, it was really soft and kind of cute that it looked so real. I texted Amira and told her and she was laughing and saying how it was the sweetest thing she ever heard!

I am not really telling this story to boast about my nice fiancé but really to share what Amira has been sharing with me for the past week since Avery got her Tiger; perhaps the cutest pictures in the world.

Amira said Avery loves sleeping with the tiger and most times she is hugging it although Amira hasn't been able to catch all of those on the blurry monitor. I love that she is with her tiger but I am also dying at her cute little pj’s and sweet little body and face. Each time Amira sends me a picture I of course show Matt and if you could see his face…such happiness and pride; it’s really quite cute. Anyways, I just had to share sweet little Avery and her Tiger…love her. 

Thank goodness for Mother in Laws and good recipes!

So I was telling Matt's mom that I am just the worst cook in the world and feel bad for Matt. He is so used to his mom's wonderful cooking and then he has to marry me who really has about 3 recipes in rotation for the week. She was so nice of course telling me about all the things I have made for different holidays and how great they were but let's face it...I can't do anything without a recipe. Anyways, she was telling me about this easy rice she used to make all of the time for Matt and his dad and how much they loved it...and most of all how easy it is! So I made it on Saturday night and OH. MY. GOSH. It is so easy and really, really, really delicious! You better believe this is the new addition to my weekly rotation. I am so happy!!!!!!!!!

What you need:

1 lb. or ground turkey (I bought the taco seasoned one)

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 cups of instant rice

2 garlic cloves diced

1 green bell pepper diced

½ white onion dices

8 oz tomato sauce

15 oz can of diced tomatoes

(2) 4 oz cans of diced green chiles

15 oz can filled with water

Salt

Garlic powder

What you do:

Dice up the garlic/bell pepper and onion and place in a large skillet (you will be adding everything to this skillet so make sure it’s big enough) and add some olive oil. Let that heat up and cook for about 10 minutes to get the juices and flavors flowing.

Meanwhile, I cooked the turkey in a different skillet so I could drain the grease before adding to the veggies.

Once the turkey is cooked and drained add it to the sautéed bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Mix all together and then add in the can of tomatoes sauce and can of diced tomatoes (don’t drain).

At this time I start pre-heating the oven to 350. I also get a casserole dish out for later.

Once the juices are bubbling I add in the salt and garlic powder (just a few sprinkles for each) and I add in the 2 cups of instant white rice and the can of water. Give it a good stir! I then cover the skillet for about 5 minutes (I checked a few times to stir it up). Once you think the rice is cooked turn the heat off. Then dump everything into the casserole dish, sprinkle with the cheddar cheese, and place in the oven for about 15 minutes (until the cheese on top is melted or crispy like Matt likes it!

Honestly, this dish was a true gift. I know it’s just considered a Spanish rice and maybe everyone has known about it but me…but I feel so extremely happy that it is so easy, delicious, and filling. Matt and I were able to have it for 3 different meals (2 dinners and one lunch). We ate it just by itself and it was very filling. If you wanted to get crafty you could make up some refried beans too and have it with. 

I also like this recipe because you can make it your own. Really, you can change it and tailor it however you want. If you want to add beef instead of chicken..or pulled pork..and you can switch out the bell pepper for something else if you wanted. It was just so good. Trust me on this one! You won't regret it. 

It was the little things...

I was walking with my friend today and we were talking about back in the day when we took field trips in school. I said, “Remember when your parents would go on the field trip as a chaperone?” I remember it just being the best feeling that my very own parents were coming with my class and we were going on a trip. I remember feeling so comforted by the fact that my mom and/or dad were there if I needed anything. It was the ultimate security in a place unknown; with new friends and scary teachers. It made me want to think of all the other little things I could recall from my childhood that made me feel good.

It was the little things.

1). The feeling I had when one of my parents would come on a field trip with my class.

2). The sound of the ice cream truck

3). Going to the movies with out any parents.

4). Getting out of the pool and laying my body down on the warm cement.

5). Having a crush.

6). Getting out of grade school and walking home with friends.

7). Drinking the boxed chocolate milk from the cafeteria.

8). Watching Saturday morning cartoons.

9). Laying in the back shell of the truck with my brother on the way to the river.

10). Riding my bike around the neighborhood pretending that it was a horse.

11). Sliding down the grass slope on cardboard and pretending there was lava at the bottom. 

As I get older and my imagination has faded some...I try and remind myself every day that it really is the little things that can bring us so much joy. 

Happy Friday. xo

So I didn't really come up with a ‘resolution’ but there are a few things I want to do. I want to do less of my cell phone. Everyone gave me a hard time for having my flip phone but you know what, it was kind of nice. I just get so mad when I find that I am browsing my phone just because. I really want to be more in the moment and not care so much about social media. I really love to keep up with friends and family but sometimes it’s just too much and I think looking at that small/big screen for so long is going to have some serious damage on my eyes. The month of January Matt and I cut out drinking and it’s actually been fine. I love having a glass of wine on a girl’s night out but you know what, I don’t HAVE to have it. Now my meals are less calories and the bill is half the cost! I am hoping I will like it so much that I continue it throughout the year and only drink on really special occasions (like my wedding). This wasn't really an intentional New Years thing but it’s been about a week and a half since Matt and I have had meat and we said well let’s keep goin! I know my future will have burgers, pulled pork, and chicken wings in it but I also know that I don’t need meat for every meal and it’s kind of nice taking a break and focusing on veggies, fruit, and other nutrients. I have been slowly weeding meat out of my diet for quite some time and for various reasons so I am not that sad to see it go. OH! I cut out coffee! I have actually been getting over coffee for the past couple of months. It seems like every time I buy a cup of coffee I only drink half. I end up microwaving it half way through the day, take another sip just to let it sit again…I end up throwing it away at the end of the day. I just don’t really feel like my body needs coffee in order to function and I was really just drinking it for the ritual; I loved getting it in the morning when it was chilly and sipping it while I checked emails at work. I have since switched over to tea and an occasional hot chocolate. Anyways, I thought instead of having a resolution that Matt and I would make a list of things we want to do this year…oh how I love and live for lists! So anyways here is my list for 2014 in no particular order.

1. Get married!
2. Paint 10 different paintings on canvas
3. continue studying Spanish and be ¾ fluent!
4. get to an 8 minute mile
5. move to a new place (still in SD)
6. Pay off all of my cc debt (a reality as of March 2014!)
7. go to 5 new spots in San Diego (nature type hideaways)
8. See Jerry Seinfeld in Vegas
9. See Tom Petty with Matt (please, please, please have a 2014 tour!)
10. go beach camping
11. Learn 5 new recipes (master them)
12. Use Matt’s nice camera and start taking pictures of pretty things
13. write more letters and send them through the snail mail

At this time this list is all I can think of…I might add to it but not sure. I almost feel like I should make a 14^th thing since it’s 2014 but that’s just my perfectionist side taunting me.

Hope everyone had a nice New Years and starts the year off with a hopeful outlook on what 2014 has in store.