funny, funny blog

I ran across this blog today and had to share...it is hilarious. I am not sure if I should feel guilty for laughing at it or not. If this is completely morally wrong, somebody please let me know. Until then, I will just keep laughing.

new lingo

Ever since Evelyn has been around, I have found myself using a whole new collection of words that just a few months ago were hardly ever spoken around our place. Here is a short list of my new vocabulary:

• poopy
  
• fussy
  
• cranky
  
• sucker (our word for pacifier. I got it from my sister's kiddos...they made it up, and personally I think it sounds better than "binky")
  
• dirty diaper
  
• wet diaper
  
• onesie
  
• boppy
  
• bumbo
  
• snappi
  
• wiggle worm
  
• nap time
  
• daddy
  

Oh...and just for the record the most popular song around here is "The Wheels on the Bus" with "Twinkle, Twinkle" coming in a close second. How quickly life changes! =)

Curried Corn Soup

Last weekend Michael and I went into Houston to go to a farmer's market. While we were there we bought some delicious veggies, some local honey, and a huge bag of curry powder. Curry powder at a farmer's market? I know...kinda strange. But there was this Indian food stand selling diffent dips, pratha (an indian flat bread filled with lentils and potato), and spices. Michael loves Indian food and I have been trying to perfect my Coconut Curry Shrimp recipe but it is always "off". I suspected that it was the cheap brand of curry powder they sell at the grocery store. So, we shelled out some money for a huge bag of curry powder.

When I was making our menu and grocery list for the week, I was looking for a new curry recipe. I found this Curried Corn Soup at weightwatchers.com and thought I would give it a try.

I was a huge sucess! It was easy to make and Michael LOVED it! (I really think my new curry powder made it even better!) I should have made a double batch so we could have leftover tomorrow. It is fairly easy, healthy, and full of fiber...for those of you who care about such things! I paired it with some fresh steamed green beans and viola...dinner!





I am definitly going to make this one again.


Here is the recipe if you want to give it a try:

Curried Corn Soup
Ingredients:
2 tsp olive oil
1 cup onion(s), chopped
2 tsp curry powder
4 cup fat-free chicken broth
4 piece corn on the cob, kernels removed with a knife (yields about 3 cups)
1/2 pound uncooked red potato(es), peeled and chopped (about 2 large potatoes)
1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp table salt
1/4 cup cilantro, or scallion, chopped
1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt
1/4 cup tomato(es), diced

Directions:
Heat oil in a large saucepan. Add onion; cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add curry powder and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.


Add broth, corn, potatoes, lemon juice and salt to saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes; remove from heat.


In a blender, food processor or using an immersion blender, puree mixture (in batches if necessary), until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible.


To serve, stir cilantro or scallions into soup. Spoon into bowls and top with about 2 teaspoons each of yogurt and tomato. Garnish with additional chopped cilantro or scallions, if desired. Serve hot or cover and refrigerate up to 2 days. Yields about 1 1/4 cups per serving.

Sand box --- the "cleaner" way

What a great idea!
This uses a large tupperware box and dried split peas. Genius!



(from tutus and turtles. Click the link to find out more specific directions to make this "sandbox")

Say Cheese

A few weeks ago my mom got my whole family together to have family pictures made. Some of the pictures of Evelyn turned out really good. Here is one of Michael and Evelyn that I absolutely love:

Here is a picture of my nieces from the same day...too cute!

Here a just a few more shots that I like:




The photographer, Kim Schroder, is a friend of my sister and she does awesome work. The hard part is picking out with prints to buy and where to put them in our home!




I also found this great photographer online and I would LOVE to have her do some pictures of Evelyn soon. I love her work and how natural all of the shots look. Even if you are not looking for a photographer, her website is fun to look at just to see all of her artistic-looking shots!

"What are YOU looking at?"

I couldn't resist posting this cute picture of her!

One man's trash is another man's treasure

You should check this out:

http://www.freecycle.org/

I joined the Sugar Land network a few weeks ago. It is a little like craigslist, but everything is free. Some things that people post are mostly junk, but there is an occasional steal to be found. Like the other day there was a free brand new baby mattress. Bummer, I already bought one. There are also things like free computer desks, coupons, books, and other random stuff. I think this would be great for next time we move. Instead of throwing out old stuff, we can find a new home for it.

Just refill my water, please

A short conversation from dinner last night:
Waiter: Where did that come from? (looking at Evelyn)
Me: Ummm...me.
Waiter: Oh.


Later when he came to refill our water:
Waiter: Is it a boy or a girl? (again referring to Evelyn)
Me: A girl. I thought the pink shirt might give it away.
Waiter: Well, you never know nowadays, and I wouldn't want to offend anyone.

Interesting. I haven't seen a lot of cross-dressing babies around here.

Elephant art

I have decided that Evelyn is going to like elephants. I am not sure why. I have never been particularly fond of the big animals myself. But I have seen lots of cute elephant items, and I am using the excuse of "Evelyn likes them" to get them for myself!

So the other day Carter's was having a summer sale and I picked up an elephant t-shirt for Evelyn that I, I mean Evelyn, really liked.

I needed to fill up one more wall in her room so I decided to make an inexpensive art project with the elephant t-shirt as inspiration. I headed out to Hobby Lobby and for around $13, I bought the canvas (which was on sale), the paint, and the brushes (which were also on sale). I hand drew the elephant onto paper, traced it onto the canvas and then voila...art. It matches the colors in her room great! What do you think?

t-shirt inspiration








ELEPHANT ART!!

My first blog reader

Well, even if no one else reads my blog, I have one reader (if you can't tell from the picture, she is looking at my page!). Now I just need to teach her to leave a comment! =)

First Post

Why did I finally decide to make a blog?

Well, that is easy. There are really only two reasons. 1) Everyone else is doing it, and 2) now I have a good excuse to show off pictures of my kiddo!

So, here I am...finally joining the blogging world after years of blog-stalking other people's blogs.

I think the hardest part of getting started was coming up with a cute and clever name for my blog. I felt a lot of pressure since most of my friends have very creative titles and great-looking designs (ahem...morgan). So I came up with "Every day counts" thinking at least my husband, who is a mathematician, would like it! Now i just need to convince him that I am not crazy for posting my life on the internet. Enjoy!