smooshy face

Fall cooking special

Since becoming a stay at home mom, I have found a love for cooking and baking. I love to try out new recipes but unfortunately my hubby is Mr. meat and potatoes! He does eat my cooking and smiles about it but I know he would rather be eating a raw steak! On top of that, my little monster man doesn't enjoy ANY food that has a combination of ingredients in it. Anyways, I decided to try out a recipe I found in the family fun magazine this past week. Of course I did some modifications but I just loved it so much I figured I would share it with you!

Chicken and Veggie Cobbler:
1 large baking potato, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch dice
1 1/2 cups peeled and thinly sliced carrots
1 1/2 cups frozen peas
1/2 broccoli
1/2 corn kernels
3 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 large onion
1 large chicken breast cooked and diced
3 tablespoons flour (I used a gluten free mix)
2 1/2 chicken bouillon cubes dissolved in 1 1/4 cup hot water
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt/pepper
1 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/3 cup grated parmesan
*you can add whatever other veggies you have laying around. The recipe called for butternut squash but I didn't have any.

topping:
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 tablespoon oil

1. Heat oven to 400. Place potato, carrots, peas, broccoli, corn, and whatever other veggies in a pot and fill with enough water to cover. Cook veggies for 4 minutes after boiling, drain and rinse.
2. melt butter in a large, deep skillet. Add the onion and saute it. Stir in flour anc cook the mixture for another 30 seconds. Add the vegetable broth, milk, salt, pepper, thyme, and celery seed and continue to stir until sauce thickens, about 4 mins.
   
3. Add cooked chicken, vegetables to the sauce and stir well. Add more salt/pepper and stir in parmesan. Bring to a simmer and transfer to casserole dish.
4. Make the corn bread topping by whisking together cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the milk, egg, and oil and stir until blended. Spread over the veggies and back for 25 mins.

Serves 8 plus!

To big, to fast

Yup, you guessed it! Addy is 4 months old today. Can you believe it? She seems so little to me still! We go to the doc's tomorrow so I will update you all on her stats then. Here is my little peanut today looking oh so pretty.

Big smiles!
*UPDATE: Addy weight 15lbs 8oz and is 24 1/2 inches long
She has a little head...must be the Smith in her! Her head is only 15 inches but the docs aren't worried!

apple's apple's apple's

Went apple picking this weekend. Let me tell you, Beak and Skiff has the worlds best apples. WOW. We got A LOT of apples and yesterday I spent the day canning apple butter and apple sauce. I still have a bushel to go, but at least I got a head start! I also need to start perfecting my apple recipe for Jocelyn's apple festival next weekend....huummmmm

Believe it or not this is our FIRST family photo...it was rather windy I should add.
He is just the cutest little guy I have EVER seen.
My little picker...

Smartipant review

Here's the story...

I needed a few more diapers for Miss Addy. Some of my old ones were getting a bit ratty and weren't doing the job anymore. I heard about these new cloth diapers (CD's) called Smartipants. Now you never know what you are going to get with a new brand of CD's...especially the cheap ones. But I figured it couldn't hurt for the price. Plus they came highly recommended from Pamela.

The order went in as soon as I got the okay from the hubby and they arrived shortly after that. I have had a few weeks to try them out now and I think one word sums them up...FAN-TASTIC!

These are BETTER than my fuzzibunz (which if you know me, you know I love them). They are super absorbent and I mean super. The other night I forgot to change Addy before bed (if I only had a brain..doodoo doodoo doodoo) and for a newborn that is HUGE! I realized I hadn't changed her at about 5am and she HAD NOT SOAKED THROUGH. To top it off, the top linning had wicked away all the mosture keeping her skin dry! That is even better than a disposable.

They are also a one size diaper which means you don't have to keep buying bigger sizes. They would fit a little tiny newborn and a big toddler!

To top it off, they wash super easy as well. You don't have to take the insert out to wash them...it just washs out in washer! SAY WHAT...

Anyways...if you know me, you know I love my CD's. I would HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend these to ANY new mom or anyone looking to build their stash up.

So here are my favorite to least favorite diapers in which I own.

1. Smartipants ~ because they rock all around!
2. Fuzzibunz ~ hold up great over time, very absorbent
3. gDiapers ~ convenent, don't leak too much
4. Kushies Ultra ~ not bad, but bulky and mosture stays on the babies skin.
5. Kushies Basic with cover ~ yucky.. they work but are very bulky and stinky and a pain and yucky..

Stud muffin

I got the 5 comments so here they are...

it's a weird name for a must have

I got an ergo today.

An ergo you say....

I cannot wait to use my ergo...okay.

now that was pretty lame...I know. So what really is an ergo?

It's a lovely way to wear your baby/toddler/small child.

They can be worn either snug as a bug to your front, back or hip.

I have wanted one for a while, but have had a difficult time justifying it finacially.

Tonight I got the OKAY from the hubby to purchase this lovely device and I CANNOT wait to use it!

Here is a pic of the one I bought...cannot wait to model it for you all soon.

a note to all you blog stalkers

Dear Blog Stalkers (yes, I am talking about YOU),

It has become apparent that you no longer feel it necessary to leave comments on the lovely, well thought out blog posts. This is frustrating to the blogger (AKA: me) because she feels as though she is talking/writing to herself. Although she does tend to talk to herself on a regular basis...you know when you have a full conversation with yourself about how something will go. It's great when the conversation totally turns out the way you played it in your head...right?

But I digress.

I do not wish to talk to myself in blog land. This is a place for you all to read my lovely thoughts (although they are rather crazy at times) and leave me some feedback. I really am not picky about the type of feedback you leave. It could be rather witty or just a "hey, how you doing". And you may no longer use the excuse, "I cannot figure out how to leave a comment!". All you do is sign up for a google account OR post anonymously.

Now I know that there are many of you who enjoy my blog and tend to stalk it on a daily/hourly basis to see what goodies I have in store for you. I also know that I have been a blog slacker these past few months. I've always been one to give a little to get a little so we have to reach a common ground here people. I will post more if you comment more.

The thought crossed my mind about the content of my posts...are they boring, too kid centered? Hmmmm so maybe I will have to spice it up a little and do a few giveaways or an open question night. I have seen these on some friends blogs (THAT I COMMENT ON) and they always seem to be a hit.

So tonight I will bribe you with an ADORABLE picture of Mr. Cooper that I took today. All you have to do is leave me a comment on ANY question or topic you would like to see me write on. It can be something like, "Kara, how come you always rub your feet together while you are sitting in a chair?" or "why did you kid decide to spit up all over my new leather chair?" I will pick a few of them and post the answers in a later post.

Now you ask how many comments/questions I need to recieve...5! Yes, I said 5! I feel we need to start slow here people! So go ahead and ask away! ask.

So now that I have that off my chest, feel free to leave a comment!! Talk with you all soon!

Sincerely,
Kara

Preschool here we come

Here is the big preschooler


and her brother thought he was going to school too...

Southern Hospitality

Were are back....

It was a great trip to Charlotte. I got to hang out with my sis and do some major shopping while Zach got to play lots of golf with Andy. We ate lots of great food and I swear I weight 100 pounds more!

Some pics from the adventure...
Candice and I in downtown Charlotte
Candice, Andy, and Addy all dressed up and ready for a FANTASTIC meal
Zach and I
snuggling with Aunt Candice
Aunt Candice and Addy

I will be out of the office from...

Yes that's right! Zach, Addy, and I are heading south to Charlotte to visit my sister Candice and her prince Andy. The other kiddos are "vacationing" at grandma and grandpas until Monday!

SOOOOO VVEEEERRRRYYYY excited to see my sister and get a much needed break for our daily routine.

But also a little nervous about leaving the kiddos. We don't like to leave them...point blank, but I think we will be better parents after getting a few days of vacation! Plus, I know they will have fun..

Anywho...look for some pics when we return on Monday! Wish us luck!!!