neglectful, i know.

why the lack of capitalization?  no, i'm not trying to be hip, young, and modern--i'm typing with one hand and holding an ailing infant partially upright with the other.  yeah, the last time i composed a new post i had two hands available and this child wasn't even conceived--so neglectful of me.  so...should i stay or should i go is the question.  folks blog for a number of reasons, but for me i always thought it was important to write about subjects, issues, or musings that others would actually be interested in reading and that would move or benefit the reader in some way.  move them profoundly, maybe not, but interesting i'd hope, or really what's the point--you won't keep readers.  so i guess what i'm wondering is, what would you--from faithful "follower" to random reader who stumbled upon this post linked from  facebook--like to read about.  there is pretty much no uncovered territory in the blogosphere--parenting, advocacy of every type, recipes, budgeting, family life, organizing...  where should i go with this thing?  pick one particular avenue,  make it a little of this little of that, or hang it up all together--what say you?

okay little blog, you feel better now?  i know, i've ignored you terribly.

More easy recipes

So I'd never really thought to share any of my own recipes primarily because I really didn't feel like sitting down to write them out.  1 1/2 cups of this, a teaspoon of that...yeah, I just don't have the patience honestly.  So here's MY version of a recipe for what we call "Cheesy Southwest Chicken & Rice" at our house.

Ingredients: 

1 package G.V. Steamable Southwest Vegetables with Cheese Sauce

1 large chicken breast (if you buy the enormous boneless breasts from Sam's Club, I promise 1 breast will easily serve 2 people)

Cajun seasoning (it's not "Southwestern" but hey, Taco Bell isn't Mexican either...)

Directions:

1.  Chop up chicken and season.

2.  Saute chicken in a large pan while microwaving cheesy vegetables and rice according to package directions.

3.  Pour vegetables and rice into pan of sauted chicken and stir.
4.  Serve and enjoy!

Serves two hungry adults (with a side of veggies).  Nutrition information: um... 

*******************************************************************


Now for a Whitehurst family favorite.  When my Mom makes this we call it "Shells," (that's just the noodle she always used) but Chris somewhere along the way dubbed it "Chicken Stuff."  I guess it would technically be penne marinara al forno?  Whatever, it's just yummy.  This recipe writing is even worse, I'll warn you.


Ingredients:
Penne, ziti, or shells (I use two big handfuls of whole wheat penne)
Chicken breast (Remember the big Sam's Club ones?  Yeah, just one will do for the entire dish.)
Marinara sauce (I'm at a loss here...um, "enough" I guess)
Shredded mozzarella (Again, I'll have to say "a handful")
salt and pepper
red pepper flakes (optional if you're you know, a wuss)


Directions:
1.  Chop up the chicken and season with salt and pepper
2.  Saute the chicken and cook the noodles
3.  Drain the noodles, then add cooked chicken and marinara.  Stir.  (Add red pepper at this point if  you wish.)
4.  Pour all ingredients into a casserole dish and sprinkle cheese on top.
5.  Bake at let's say...400° until bubbly and slightly browned on top.


Serves 2 hungry adults, a toddler, and if you measure pasta as poorly as I do, probably enough for one person's lunch the next day.
Nutrition information:  If your portion sizes are reasonable I'd guess it's pretty good for you.


Well, tomorrow night we're eating at my in-laws and Thursday night I'm doing a taco soup recipe I borrowed from a friend.  I'll probably share that one too...

Playtime, coupon clipping, and quick easy dinners

Enjoying how independently Gavin can play these days.  It's when it's quiet and I don't see or hear him that I sometimes worry (he's usually not doing a single thing I need to worry about thankfully--just playing very intensely somewhere in the house).  Point being, it always nice now to be able to accomplish the little things like paying bills online, loading up the tax software, and clipping coupons with very little neediness on his part.  The medium- sized tasks, like laundry, he actually likes to "help" with.  The big stuff?  Well those organizing and cleaning projects happen when he's asleep or with Grandma.

Last night after posting on Facebook about the evening repast, a friend suggested I start sharing some of my recipes via blog.  Great idea I thought, though I'm no recipe writer.  I messaged her my "recipe" for loaded twice baked potatoes (the actual first time I'd put it in writing) and used words like "dab," "handful," and "baked until sizzling."  So, I'm no recipe writer I guess.  So tonight's dinner's not really mine--it's a Campbell's Kitchen recipe I first enjoyed at Chris' mom's house.  We'll be having Cornbread Chicken Pot Pie with peas for a side.  (And whatever the recipe calls for in cheese--yeah, I'm not measuring it.)
http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/cornbread-chicken-pot-pie/Detail.aspx

Oh Gavin why...

...have you started making your way into Mommy and Daddy's room every single night since we converted your crib into a toddler bed, after sleeping through the night for several months now?  Once in our bed we are all quite miserable, including you.  If space is what you desire as you're squirming for hours on end, your bed has plenty of just that.

...do you change your food preferences nearly daily.  I know you like what I fix you, but some days it's like pulling teeth to get you to eat more than a couple of nibbles?

...do you feel the compulsion to climb up on EVERYTHING now.  We don't have dental coverage and I'm so scared you're going to mess up that cute little face when you lose your footing.  It scares me to death buddy.

Okay so these are just a half a day of Mommy quandaries.  Thank the Lord I love him so incredibly much, with a selfless, sacrificing adoration for him.  He loves me back I'm pretty sure too--that helps me get through.

Mommy Confessions

These confessions are in no particular order of juiciness.  It's more of a stream of conscienceness really.

• I would watch Olivia, The Backyardigans, and Handy Manny even if Gavin was asleep.
• Some days a bath for Mommy just doesn't happen.
• Gavin gets his teeth brushed once daily.  That one session is a battle, so twice a day right now is just too much of a struggle (for everyone involved).
• I take naps.  I don't set out to, but sometimes it just happens.  I don't get much sympathy from my husband if I jokingly inform him that I missed mine that day, but seriously--my job will leave a person wiped OUT.
• I can count on one hand the times that I've let Gavin "cry it out" or be put in bed "drowsy but awake."  Oh well.  He's a darn sound sleeper now and I'm confident that I haven't screwed him up so badly that he'll call me from college and ask me to come help him get to sleep for the night.
• I lose my cool sometimes.
• The 5 Second Rule is valid in our house.
• Gavin watches more TV than the AAP recommends I'm sure.  Yes, it occupies him long enough for me to get a load of laundry going, catch up on business emails, get dinner prepped, etc.  He is not glued to the tube hours on end however, is limited to age-appropriate programming, and most of the time we are watching together and I'm asking questions and labeling as we view.
• I've been known to lock the bathroom door (with a not-so-thrilled toddler on the other side) just for 3 undisturbed minutes to remove my make-up (on the days I have a reason to wear any) and wash my face.  Washing my face is my favorite end-of-the-day ritual.  Seriously, it's the best.
• I have an unwavering love for, and devotion to the two guys that live under this roof with me.  I am blessed beyond measure and sometimes have to just pinch myself.  Is this really my life?

Look at that, Gavin feel asleep on my lap and The Backyardigans is on!  "Yeti, yeti, yeti. yetiiiiiii!"

2010 Whitehurst Christmas Card

Classic Snowflakes Christmas

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On any given day

~Walking in to a smiling little one just waking amid a pile of stuffed Backyardigans, reaching out for "my Mama."
~Waffles, bananas and Oswald--still in our P.J.s and not ashamed.  If we're still in our P.J.'s by Yo Gabba Gabba somedays it's okay too.
~Snuggles, play, chasing, building, scribbling, riding the Mama horse, drumming, and dancing.  Some "no's", lots of hugs and even more "Mama's."
~Holding hands on cue during the blessing and prayer times, and sometimes hearing an emphatic "A-meh!"
~Snuggling for nap time on the couch.  Here's Mama's time to be "productive"--some days I am, some days it just feels right to join in for a much needed snooze.  He's not gonna go for this snuggling with Mama routine for very long.
~Trips to the park, the library, the grocery store.  These experiences can sometimes be truly that...an "experience."  Lots of complements and smiles for my beaming boy.
~Happily greeting Daddy or when visiting Grandparents arrive at the back door.  There's nothing on Earth like that smile--it's like daily manna.
~Family dinners.  A rare, but absolutely necessary experience for any spiritually and emotionally healthy family.
~Bath time.  An absolute treat to experience with that kid--he adores water play.  Just the mention of "B.A.T.H." sends him straight to the tub without prodding.
~Evening play time.  We're all so tired by now, but the togetherness can't be beat.  More snuggles, chasing, playing guitar and drums, and tons of kisses for Mama and Daddy.
~Winding down for the evening can be a mixed bag of frustration and eventual relief, but I can lay the day to rest with an assurance that I am indeed doing what is best for my family.

I've met opposition about my choices in career path and parenting, but feel very strongly that this is just what works for us (that is a whole other entry in itself, but I don't think I will ever pen that one).  Teaching private lessons from home two afternoons a week, helping with the business Chris started, "home-making," and spending the majority of my time raising my child is so much more enjoyable to me than spending each day under the rule of the Department of Education.

It ain't always paradise (and what job is), but it is unbelievably fulfilling.