The time has come. GA has graduated pre-K and in about 80 days will be a Kindergarten kid. I can hardly believe it! She had her end of the year celebration last night and did a great job singing on stage with her classmates. Only a few tears were shed (mostly by R) - no, not really. I don't think GA quite grasps the concept of "no more school" - she keeps asking things like "after the end of the year celebration we go back to school, right?" Kids.

So, to reflect on this school year here are a few pictures:

This was the first day of school in August 2007

This was the last day of school in May 2008. My how she has grown!

 

And, we can't forget little miss Imac who also had her last day of school on Thursday:

First day of 2-days a week preschool

Last day of school. Look at all that hair!

posted @ Saturday, May 31, 2008 10:50 AM | Feedback (125)

What a great Mother's day this year! On May 8th, GA's preschool class had a special Mother's Day program. The kids sang 3 sweet Mother's Day songs, served us cake and fruit and gave us the gifts they made in class: A cute magnetic picture frame with a photo inside and a very pretty stamped and glittered domino magnet.

 

Friday night I had a girls night out and before I left, Imac gave me the gifts she made me at school:

On Saturday May 10th, GA and I took my mom to a Mother's Day Tea at Southern Belle's Tea Room. We had strawberry glazed heart shaped scones and cream cheese scones with cream and lemon curd. Then we had chicken salad croissants, cucumber sandwiches and a jalapeno cheddar crostini. Then for dessert we had mini strawberry shortcakes, lemon-berry cheesecake bars and some sort of chocolate/coconut bar. The hot tea was very good (I can't remember the type) but they served an Iced Strawberry Tea that was to die for! I bought some and we've made it twice now with great results. Yum.

On Sunday, I got to sleep in (awesome)! I woke up to the smells of freshly baked orange cinnamon rolls and coffee. The girls got me a Yoga kit and R got me an iPod Touch (double awesome)! I spent most of the day adding music to it and playing around with the features. We had Crab Cakes for dinner (made by R) and I didn't have to cook or clean all day (triple awesome)! I am blessed!

posted @ Friday, May 16, 2008 3:18 PM | Feedback (7)

I've made a few really yummy and easy recipes recently and I thought I would share them here on the blog:

Spicy Peanut Chicken with Broccoli

1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup water
2T soy sauce
2T vegetable oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (use more if you would like this anything but mild)
4 cups broccoli
4 chicken breasts

Mix all the ingredients through the crushed red pepper into a mixing bowl. The earlier you make the sauce the more the flavors will meld together. I made the sauce about 3 hours before I cooked and it was very good. I just mixed it and kept it on the counter.

Cut the chicken breast into strips. Pour a little bit of oil into the pan, just enough so that it doesn’t stick, perhaps a tablespoon or two.

After the chicken is slightly browned on the outside remove it from the heat.

Dump the broccoli on top. Add about 1/4 - 1/2 cup of water to the skillet. Return it to low heat WITH A TIGHT FITTING LID IN PLACE and let the chicken and broccoli steam. This ensures that the chicken is cooked all the way through, yet remains moist, while the broccoli cooks.

Dump the peanut butter mixture into the skillet.

Serve with rice.

 

Honey Roasted BBQ Spare Ribs

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup honey

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon salt

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon Tabasco

~4 lbs pork spareribs

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Coat ribs with marinade and place in pan. Pour 1 cup of mixture over ribs, cover. Roast 1hr at 350. Add remaining marinade and roast an additional hour.

 

Cream Cheese Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas

1 tbs oil

1-2 tbs minced garlic

4 chicken breasts, chopped or shredded (I boiled the chicken then shredded it)

1 8 oz. block cream cheese, softened

2 4oz cans chopped green chilies

10 flour tortillas (I used whole wheat tortillas)

1 4oz. package shredded cheese (I used the Mexican blend)

2 10 oz can enchilada sauce (red or green, I used red)

Heat oil in large pan.  Add garlic and sauté until golden.  Add shredded chicken to the pan.

Add cream cheese and green chilies.  Heat and stir until you have a smooth, creamy consistency.

Place about 3-5 heaping tbs of mixture into each tortilla, depending on tortilla size, and roll tightly.  Place each tortilla in an oiled (or sprayed) baking pan.  (We use a 8.5x11, I think.)

When all tortillas have been placed in the pan, pour the enchilada sauce overtop.  Try not to leave any dry spots.  Then sprinkle liberally with shredded cheddar cheese.

Place pan in oven set to 350 for about 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted and heated through.

Remove from oven and serve. 

 

Let me know if you try them and how you like them!

posted @ Friday, May 16, 2008 2:49 PM | Feedback (2)

The other day on Lisa Bearnson's blog I posted an answer to a trivia question - How many issues of Creating Keepsakes mag have there been in 10 years? My answer:111 and guess what?!?! I was correct and was chosen as the winner!!

This is what I'm getting:

and it will be signed by Lisa B.! I'm so excited!

posted @ Thursday, May 01, 2008 5:00 PM | Feedback (2)