Big day for us tomorrow...

Looks exciting, huh?

Edited to Add: Woke up to the dining room & hall way already done. Marcos must have stayed up real late...I was gonna help but Nic and I went to bed! I must have fallen asleep when I was putting Nic to bed.

Love my man!

Picture from Back in the Day - Mexico 2008

A wonderful 3-day vacation in sunny Mexico... I love this picture.

October is right around the corner...

and do you know what that means?

Oktoberfest!

Photo Credit: www.tempeoktoberfest.com

To be honest, I have never been to an Oktoberfest in the United States before.

Only to ones in Germany (aka the real thing!).

We are making a day of it - there are a ton! of family things to do!

Also in October, on Halloween to be exact, my baby will turn 14!

I can hardly believe it. 14 - wow!

We have some fun things planned for his birthday - can't wait to share them with you here!

A little diddy for ya!

Just a swipe of the debit card

and the tickets are bought

yes, the tickets are bought

Just a swipe of the debit card

and the tickets are bought

in the most delightful way!

This post by one of my favorite bloggers, Sarah, got me thinking this summer. I had never once considered taking my daughter to go see a play. Why not? Not sure. I thought, when I read Sarah's blog: What a great bonding experience!

So, I scoured the net for local shows... and FINALLY tickets for Mary Poppins went on sale starting Sept. 13. I snagged us 3 tickets... Isabel and I decided we also wanted my mom to go. Unfortunately, we have to wait until February - but I am sure, once it gets here, we are going to have a blast!!

When I am alone...

...I have one thing I love to do... burn candles.

I have a hard time burning them at other times because of a 2 1/2 year old (who shall rename nameless). He LOVES to spit on blow out candles. I am just so afraid that he will try to touch one, or knock one over. I won't take chances...

So I only burn them when he is out of the house.

Take today, for example.

I dropped him off at daycare... I am back home, working. I decided to light not one, not two, but 4 candles.

There are two apple cinnamon in the kitchen, a clean cotton one in the bathroom,

and divine country flowers one in the living room.

My house smells heavenly.

Until the kids come home, that is!

Prescott Perfection

Yep... Welcome to Prescott. What a beautiful town. I have been before, but when I was still in pigtails. So, everything was pretty much new to me. The Victorian houses were to die for, the people were so friendly, and the weather was perfect. And here I thought I would have to move across the country to get those things; I could move 2 hours NW and bamm... right in the middle of perfect!

Take a gander at a sampling of the pictures I snapped during our day trip.

The best $2.96 ever spent at Wal-Mart. The worms kept Nic happy the entire time!

This was at a scenic stop on the way to Prescott... Look at those clouds!

I think I took well over 200 pictures in all. You can find the rest here.

We had such a fun trip. Prescott is a lovely place - The husband and I are already planning a return trip, without the kids!

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It's off to Prescott we go!

We are going on a day trip! And while it will take take two hours to get to Prescott... the weather will be worth it. It's supposed to be over 100 degrees here in the Valley... but only 81 degrees in Prescott.

Lovely!

We stopped by Wal-Mart last night and picked up some fishing poles for the kids...and some refrigerated live worms.

Wish me luck with that! :)

Plain Jane...

photo credit: www.google.com

Why is it, do you think, that Google will change their logo for the birthday of some inventor, Halloween, and the beginning of Spring... but decides to go commando on one of the most important days in our short history?

Shame on you, Google...

All About Jaime?

I am thinking I need a mental health day two hours. I am going to take a long lunch and go see this funny movie.

Well... I assume it's funny. I will let you know!

http://www.impawards.com/2009/posters/all_about_steve.jpg

EDITED TO ADD:

GO

SEE

THIS

MOVIE!

I had the best time. It was me and a few stragglers.

I had my large Mr. Pibb, a small popcorn, and a middle row all to myself.

Sandra was the best. Bradley was the best.

I laughed and giggled & giggled and laughed.

What a great, feel-good movie.

Nic vs. The Locked Door

Locks on doors are generally supposed to keep unwanted visitors out.

Right?

I work from home...and for a few hours a day, I have all three kids home with me. For the most part, my 13 (almost 14) year old son helps with Nic (the two year old). They lock me in my office and allow me to finish my day.

One day recently, I turn around - while on a conference call - and see Nic. I quickly put the call on mute and raise my eyebrows pointedly at my mischievous little boy.

"How did you get in here Nic?"

He held up his hand and said "I open the door, mommy!"

In his hand? A shiny new penny.

A perfect fit.

My little man has learned how to open the interior doors in our apartment.

Privacy for all is now a thing of the past.

Picture from Back in the Day - Nic

Nic @ 11 months old. Look at those eyes!

It's Going to be a Long Day

...of de-cluttering. I have the garbage bags out and we are getting rid of STUFF!

I cannot wait. I am so tired of people (the family) leaving things all over the place.

I had to wake up in the middle of the night on Friday night / Saturday morning to turn my cell-phone's alarm off. Ended up stubbing one of my toes. It HURT! Come to find out it was a 5lb dumbbell. My toes is black and blue and STILL hurts like heck.

Yep, it's time to de-clutter.

Below 100, Finally!

When the weather drops below 100 degrees it's time for comfort food. Thanks to some wonderful thunderstorms in the area, we cooled off... and got down right Chilli!

Simply Arizona Chilli Recipe

Olive Oil

1 Large Sweet Onion

3 Pounds of Ground Beef

Salt & PepperGarlic

Red Beans (2)

Kidney Beans (3)

Crushed Tomatoes (2 - 24oz cans)

Tomato Sauce (2 - 16oz cans, plus 1 - 8oz can)

Tomato Paste (1 - 16oz can)

Ground Cumin (1TBSP)

Chili Powder (2 TSP)

Cayenne Pepper (1/2 TSP)

...................................

First thing's first... start with a big pot! You've got a lot of stuff to put in it - make it big!

In that pot add some olive oil, 1 large Sweet Onion chopped to perfection, and garlic (to your liking). Let it saute until the onions are about translucent.

Once your onions are done, add your 2-3 pounds of ground beef. I used just about 3 pounds (and am already dreaming of leftovers). Add salt and pepper. Brown the beef.

Once the ground beef is browned... and seasoned to taste, it's time to start adding the red stuff. First, add all of your tomato products (see recipe above). Well, only use half of the can of paste... you will want to use the remaining portion later, if the Chilli isn't as thick as you like it. But, add everything else. Give it a good stir.

Then add the beans! I use Red and Kidney!! And store brand is perfect - cost less, tastes great!
Let this sit on your stove on LOW for about 1 hour. Don't forget to stir occasionally.
Alright... after an hour, it's time to add the spices!! Again, store brand works wonderfully.

The amounts I used of each spice are listed above, but remember - when making YOUR Chilli, make it to YOUR taste! :)

Let the Chilli sit on LOW again for about 30 minutes.

This is a great time to start the corn bread (and bake a cake!).

Chilli is done, corn bread is plated, and cheese and sour cream are ready!! Maybe it doesn't look that good - but it tasted just heavenly. I love cake! :D

P.S. I know I spell "chilli" with two L's... it's just habit! :D

All in all, it was a wonderful dinner (and dessert)... We had a fantastic Saturday night!

It's Raining...

It's pouring...

and I am cleaning the kitchen.

Happy Saturday!

Where the magic happens....

When it comes to COOKING of course.

Not bad for apartment living, eh?