Happy Summer 2013

Where is this year going?  Is it really already Summer?  It sure is.

While there were a few things left unchecked on my Spring 2013 list, there were two things that were a must in getting prepared for Summer:  Backyard shenanigans, and Spring cleaning (the garage to be exact).

It has all been a labor of love!  We started by demoing a workshop attached to our garage (it was a disaster of a room). About 300 sq ft of ten inch concrete, three truck and trailer trips to the dump and countless hours we finally had our blank canvas.  And once it was down we decided that it would make for a perfect playground.  We’ve been really excited about this project.  Let’s call it:  Project Playground

We’re about 90% complete (just waiting for the grass to go in and a couple minor touches).  She has a mini swing set, a big-girl slide, a Tic-Tac-Toe and plenty of flowers to smell.  The girl loves to smell the flowers.  It's been a really great family project for us all.

Mommy and Daddy even got a fire pit.  Don’t worry though it’s at the opposite end of the backyard.  Summer is going to be good.  Life is good.

Oh, and the garage got cleaned too.  It wasn’t quite the death of me, but almost.  And with all this done, it’s time to just enjoy summer… and maybe start barbequing a little.  Happy Summer!

A. Daily Kitchen: Baked Chicken Nuggets

I think a recipe post is overdue.  Way overdue. I’ve given this some thought and I want the first recipe “back” to be one of our family’s favorites.  And I know just the recipe:  Baked Chicken Nuggets.

Told You, Kid Friendly

Baked Chicken Nuggets ···

1.5 Lbs Chicken Breast, Cubed

1+ Cup Sour Cream and Onion Chips, Crumbled

1 Cup Baked Sour Cream and Onion Chips, Crumbled

1 Tbs. Grated Parmesan Cheese

Dash of Kosher Salt

1 Large Egg

1-2 Tbs. Milk

Parchment Paper

Preheat Oven to 375°

In a medium bowl, mix both crumbs, cheese, and salt together.  Set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk egg and milk.

Coat each cubed chicken in your egg mixture, then roll each piece in the crumb mixture until completely covered.

Bake on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Click on Image to Enlarge

Ella <3’s these!  She eats them faster than I can refill her plate.  The bonus, I don’t even feel guilty because they’re baked.  This really is a great family recipe.  #PerfectToddlerRecipe

My Hubby, Ella's Daddy: A Different Kind of Love

In honor of Father’s Day approaching, I think it’s only appropriate that I blog about my Hubby, you know, Ella’s Daddy.  Ryan!

I recently caught a glimpse of a sign that read: 

“I never knew how much I loved your Daddy until I saw how much he loved you.”  

[So true!]

Ella & Her Daddy

I loved Ryan before Ella, obviously.  But, I did experience a completely different kind of love for him when I saw him become a Daddy.  This love grows stronger everyday when I see how much he loves Ella (and how much she loves him back).  It’s one of those emotions that is just too difficult to put into words.  It's one of those emotions that just grows inside you.  Everyday.  Day after day.  It’s something that I think is so special and so intimate that the right words just don’t exist, at least not in my vocabulary.

I will say though that it is a special kind of love, one that allows me to realize just how thankful I am for my Husband.  I don’t even begin to tell him enough.  He gives me so much to be thankful for-- [The kind of person that he is, the Husband that he is and most definitely, the Daddy that he is].  That means more to me than I could ever begin to explain.  He means more to me than I could ever tell you him.  #I<3Him