Five Favorites: Protein, a Lens and a Beautiful Post

Joining in with Hallie and everyone else at Moxie Wife today for...

{1} Grab the Gold

These little protein bars taste more like a no-bake cookie.  They don't leave that funny too-much-protein feeling nor do they taste chalky.  They're a great little afternoon pick-me-up!

{2} Dr. Jart+ BB Cream

My sweet cousin got me this set for my birthday a few months ago, and I really love these creams.  They are basically a tinted sunscreen with a bit more coverage, and they go on very smoothly!

{3} Starbucks Tumbler

I haven't filled this giant cup up with iced coffee yet, but I wouldn't put it past me.  So far it's just a way to make sure I get enough water each day.  Anyone else find it much easier to drink more when you're drinking it through a straw?  Bizarre?  Maybe so, but it works for me!

{4} Canon 35mm f2

A friend of mine let me borrow this for a few months.  What a friend, huh!!  I love it!  I'm not great with figuring out how to get the most out of different kinds of lenses, but this one allows for more light in my house that often doesn't have enough.  It takes me awhile to get used to not having a zoom, but I do love this lens. I'm anxious to learn a little more about what all it can do and just play with it.

{5} Jenny's post Let's Be Done from yesterday is about as beautiful as they come and one of my all-time favorites!

Have a great day and don't forget to check out the other links at Moxie Wife today!!

Go Green

Last night we told the boys if they were lucky, St. Patrick might make his presence known in the house today.  "How," Carter asked?  We told him by turning things green.

They woke up to this...

Green eggs, green biscuits and bacon.  It wasn't actually as unappetizing as it looked, ha!

They were thrilled!    

 Peter tried every one of the biscuits.

 Carter might have been a little grossed out by the color.  But, once I added some jelly, all was well.

John Paul wasn't awake for the pictures, but he ate every single bite.

Then came dessert for lunch:

These Jello stackers from Pioneer Woman (changed a bit for the holiday), were so fun to put together, and 

they were a big hit...even for the little guy.

I think I say this over and over again, but sometimes I think way too hard about coming up with fun things for the kids for various occasions.  Little do I remember that they are three and under.  When I look back at the fun things we did growing up, I'm not remembering things when I was three.  However, I somehow feel obligated to at least try for something.  What I've realized is that it really doesn't take much.  Often times, the simplest things are the most well received.  One time when I was worrying about being a good mom, a friend's mom told me, "Remember, you're the only Mom they know.  And, they love you."

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Food

Last week, I read a post on Amanda's blog about a hot dog bar she set up for a get-together with friends. While not everyone loves hot dogs, I do from time to time, especially at a baseball game!  And, while Amanda features five hot dogs, I knew the boys wouldn't be too interested, so Jeremy and I picked two. Here they are:

The Cuban:

We used sliced ham, provolone cheese, spicy mustard and Claussen pickles.  It was so good!

 The Steakhouse:

You can't even tell there is a hot dog on there, but we added cheddar cheese, sauteed onions and mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and A1 steak sauce.  A definite winner, too.

So, if you're craving a hot dog with a twist, these are two great options!

And, since it was cold yesterday, and I don't know how many more cold days we'll have this Winter, I made a batch of my cousin's green chili stew.  There is just something about fresh Hatch green chili that makes this recipe incredible.  

I was thinking about what to make for Fat Tuesday, and then I realized with this post that we might have a problem making every day a fat Tuesday :)

Seven Quick Takes: A New Brother, 100 Acre Woods and a Fabulous Recipe

Linking with Jen today for...

1.  I AM GETTING ANOTHER BROTHER.  That's right.  These two were engaged last night.

They are two of the most loving, faithful people you will ever meet.  And, Sean is pretty good about setting kids straight, too :)  Love them and cannot wait for the wedding!

2.  How can any other quick take compare to that one?  Hmmm, we'll see if we can at least come close...it's this lady's birthday today!!!!  She really is the best!

If you don't know her, you should.  She is confident, determined, sweet-as-can-be and as true as they come.  She simply makes life better.  Go to her blog - read it - get to know Tiffany.  You will be glad you did!

3.  I made these scones yesterday.  

Seriously, they are to die for.  Better yet, they're easy.  Make some - you won't be disappointed.

4.  Halloween went a thousand times better this year than it did last year.  

5.  I love Anna's idea of encouraging beauty this month.  She's just amazing, isn't she!?!

Today's prompt is "confident in color."  I lean toward neutrals in all areas of life - look at my walls!  Today, I added a bit of color.  Not my go-to, but it was fun.

6.  Some people think John Paul is tou young for candy.  He doesn't.

When the big boys weren't looking, he found Peter's stash and was so very proud!

7.  And, back to #1.  I just can't get over it.  Here's to the future Mr. and Mrs. Lee!!!

Head on over to Jen's place for a whole lot more takes!

The Trip

One of the best people in the entire world had a baby shower (she's about to have her first little girl!) last weekend in College Station, so I knew we couldn't miss it!  Instead of just going down for the shower and back, we decided to make a trip of it!  So, we left a few days ahead of time and made the 10 hour trek, stopping in Dallas/Fort Worth for a few days of seeing friends and family and having fun .  We never get to see everyone we want to see on trips like these (where so many of our friends and family are gathered in the same place), but there's always a next time!  

Here's a few highlights (dumbo me left my camera at the hotel for a lot of the fun!)...

*We saw a friend of mine who has been in the hospital for a good two months on bed rest (bless her)!

*We saw my cousin who just got engaged and ate at the amazing Coal Vines in Dallas.

*We toured the Dallas World Aquarium.  It was perfect for the kids, and they were so anxious to find the sharks they basically ran past everything else...except Nemo :)

*We saw one of my best friends from college, and I finally met her little girl and her sweet Emma Grace (in utero)!  

*Carter might have a new girlfriend!

*Carter asked our waiter if he "had a bed" or if  "children like me sleep in beds in buildings like that next door" - he was tired!

*Peter was given a book as a birthday gift during our trip.  He smiled and said, "I don't read."

*There was one trip to the urgent care, a double ear infection, nightly accidents from the one who never has accidents and a lot of funny conversations in the car.

*We saw GiGi and the boys adored her, just like we all do!

*We stayed with our wonderful cousins, and Carter told me, "Mom, you and Dad can go now.  Jus leave Peter and I here."

*We stayed with Tiffany the Great, and she had silly string, cookie cakes, a pinata, goody bags and incredible hospitality for our crazy crew.

*I introduced the boys to my favorite dessert...

*We spent a couple of hours with my Adopt-an-Aggie grandparents from college.

*We made it six hours without stopping, and we ended the trip at Mimi's to celebrate one very special birthday!

Was it tiring?  Yes.  Did I probably not plan as well as I should have?  Of course.  Would we do it all over again?  In a heart beat.  

It was such a great time, even if crazy and fast-paced.  Now we're back and settling into normal...trick-or-treating up next!

Five Favorites

Joining with Hallie for...

{1} This article about the Aggies.  More than any win or accolade, I love reading a story like this from people who aren't Aggies.  It is a constant reminder of what it means to be an Aggie.

*Photo Credit: here

{2} Nancy Tillman Books.

I just bought this one for a baby shower I'm attending this weekend.  They are both beautiful and heartwarming!

{3} I put a picture on Instagram of them last week, and they're still my new favorite...

they have just the perfect chocolate ratio!

{4}This color for my toenails (via The PolishAholic)...

It has taken me a long, long time to venture far from a French manicure on my toes.  But, I'm trying it here and there :)  OPI's Skyfall is a fun one for the Fall!

{5}  In honor of his feast day, one of my favorite quotes:

"It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; He is waiting for

you when nothing else you find satisfies you; He is the beauty to which you

are so attracted; it is He who provoked you with that thirst for fullness that

will not let you settle for compromise; it is He who urges you to shed the

masks of a false life; it is He who reads in your heart your most genuine

choices, the choices that others try to stifle. It is Jesus who stirs in you the

desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the

refusal to allow yourselves to be grounded down by mediocrity, the courage

to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and

society, making the world more human and more fraternal."

Blessed John Paul II

Have a fabulous day, and head on over to Hallie's for other great favorites!