A Scot In Cleveland

Thursday, January 3, 2013

The Pics of Christmas Past

So although Christmas was not the picture perfect Norman Rockwell holiday we all wish it could always be, there were some fun memories. We went to a fun Christmas party with my early childhood PTA. Kayleigh still talks about the "lighthouses." That is what she called all the decorated houses. It was the only time I was happy the sun went down at 4:30. Something to do - go for a drive and look at all the houses before bed.

She was in awe with our tree. Grannie Pattie got her pretty much every disney hallmark ornament and she loved each and every one of them.

I am pretty sure Riley is just loving the fact that she is along for the ride. She is such an easy going baby and just wants to be included.

Here are some pictures from the party.

Riley is becoming quite the daddys girl!

Hula Hoop Queen!

Eating...I mean making cookies.

Riley sat with Santa...Kayleigh ran strait into a wall trying to get away from him. Santa - 1, Kayleigh - 0

They really do love each other!

Here are a few of my favorites from the holiday season. Kayleigh was sick the whole time, hence the absence of her beautiful face. I love how I can see my photography skill increasing as well as my knowledge for photo shop. Photography is a hard and expensive hobby but I have great support behind me and I hope to share more treasures with you throughout this new year! Enjoy and I hope your holiday was just as joyful, and less sickly.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

New Year, New Menu

Happy New Year! So there will be posts to come about my New Years resolutions about food, as well as everything else I am planning on doing. I am hoping to cut out some processed foods and incorporate more veggies. I am going to do this slow since I want it to be a realistic change. My family actually eats pretty healthy. We eat veggies multiple times a day and there is only a handful of things that are "processed" that I would consider eliminating from our diet. Having a picky two year old is also a good reason to take it slow when altering a family diet. So stay tuned to see what changes are coming for 2013. For now, here is our weekly menu. Thank you pinterest for linking me with some great sites that have these awesome recipes!

Tuesday: Italian Crockpot Chicken

****Italian Crockpot Chicken -4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 16 Ounce Bottle of Italian Dressing 1/2 Cup of Parmesan Cheese Italian Seasoning 4-6 Potatoes scrubbed cut in half or wedges (you can peel if desired) 1/2 bag of mini carrots ****

Wednesday: Ham and White Northern Bean Soup and cornbread

Thursday: Chicken Milano a la Marie

Chicken Milano

8 oz. bowtie pasta

2 tb. butter

1-2 cloves garlic

mushrooms

1/4 c. sundried tomatoes

2-3 tb. chicken base

1 c. heavy whipping cream

2 tb. chopped basil

1 lb. chicken breast

boil or bake chicken breasts and shred. Set aside. cook pasta and set aside. sautee mushrooms in butter and garlic. in a separate pot boil 1 c water and chicken base with the sundried tomatoes and bring to a boil. boil until tomatoes are soft. add mushrooms. add 1 c heavy cream and basil and bring to a boil. heat until sauce covers the back of a spoon. Add chicken and sauce to pasta, stir and serve.

Friday: Oven roasted Sausage, Potatoes and Peppers

Saturday: One Pot Pasta

1 box pasta
1 head of broccoli
6 TBSP Olive Oil
5 Cloves garlic
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 pound Parm. cheese
1/2 a lemon (Juice and zest)**** When I did it, i used a whole lemon and it just seemed like way to much
little dash of garlic and onion powder
little dash of dried basil

Sunday: Pork Loin, Rice Pilaf and Peas & Veggie

Have you noticed how cheap pork loin is at Marc's lately? If you haven't pick some up! I grabbed an 8-lb doozy for 1.77/lb. We cut it up into 1.5lb pieces and put it in the deep freezer. Don't be surprised if this pops up on the menu for weeks to come.

Monday: Easy Orange chicken over Jasmine Rice

Boneless skinless chicken breasts cut up into aprox. 4 pieces per breast.
1 jar of jam. I use orange marmalade

1 package of onion soup mix
1 bottle of Russian salad dressing

place a little dressing on the bottom of the crock. Add chicken pieces. Put a spoon full of jam on each piece of chicken. Sprinkle onion soup mix on top. Pour the remaining dressing over the top. Cook on low approx. 3 hours. Pull chicken into little pieces if desired. Serve gravy and chicken mix over egg noodles.

Recipe found here: http://www.crockadoodledo.blogspot.com/search/label/CHICKEN

Monday, December 31, 2012

Remembering 2012....

So although it could have ended on a brighter note, I do have to admit we had a pretty awesome year. Here are our highlights:

#1 - Obviously, the best part of 2012 has to be the addition of little Riley into our family. She has added so much laughter and joy to our family. Kayleigh and Riley already play together and I just sit back and take it all in. I LOVE being a mom to these little girls.

# 2 Aunt Robins Pool Party

So Dan's Aunt threw this awesome pool party that turned into a long weekend vacation with Kayleigh's fairy Godmother Robin. Here are just a few pics. Robin is an amazing host and is blessed with a lot of land that my kiddos explored (supervised by Mr. Duke of course) and an outstanding in ground pool. Thank you so much for letting us crash your vacation. We really had a great time!

#3 Rye Beach, New Hampshire

Every year my side of the family tries to get all the kiddos together (There is eleven under the age of seven with another on the way!) for a weeklong vacation. So far we have gone to Duck, NC and Rye, NH. If you would like to read more about our Rye vacation...click here.

#4 Sunset Bay, USA 2012

After we come home and unpack from my family vacation, it is time for an almost month long vacation right outside Buffalo. It is a place called Sunset Bay, USA.

This deserves a whole post of it's own. I'll be here all night posting pictures from Sunset.

#5 Riley's Baptism

This was a great time had again with, family. I feel like 2012 was very family centric. My family spans across several states so it is wonderful when we get to see each other. The kids are also so close in age that it is fun to see them interact with one another.

Those were definitely the highlights. As for the lowlights, I don't care to reminisce. We had more good than bad and everyone is happy and healthy. I only hope for the same in 2013. We have our share of problems but I try not to dwell on them. Happiness only brings about more happiness.

I hope you can look back and count the many highlights of 2012.

'twas the night before...oh just read it....

Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the place
Every creature was stirring
Boogers caked to their face

Kayleigh came down with it first as a fever
Next, Grannie Pattie, man you should have seen her
The poor woman barely could get out of bed
And I'm quite certain she saw sugar plums in her head

Poor Dan had to work
Turkey, cheers, IPA's he did miss
Matt told him "your mother"
Kid drinks like a priss :)

A storm was a brewing
Coming in from the west
The fam decided to leave early
It was for the best

The day after Christmas
Seemed bright for the sickly
But wait, hold your horses
Riley is now feeling prickly

Dan working two overnights
Nobody sleeping
It isn't surprising
I'm sitting here weeping

G. Pattie next went for a trip to the ER
Thank goodness for us, it isn't that far
She's now doing great, slowing regaining her health
It's true what they say, Health is Wealth

So goodbye 2012
You were good til the end
Like the ass of a beer
Or a fair weather friend

2013 may you bring us good luck
Get all of our family and friends out of their muck
Bring peace to all those suffering pain and hardship
And mom, next year, your flu shot, please don't skip.

Happy New Years Everyone!

Sunday, December 30, 2012

My top 12 photos of 2012!

So get ready for post after post. Our house was hit HARD by the flu and I didn't get a moment to myself to do a little blogging. Everyone seems to be on the mend and I have a plethora of posts just waiting to be shared with all of my loyal followers.

My friend, Marie, posted this the other day and I was so excited. She got the idea from Nurse Loves Farmer. So, here are my favorite pictures of 2012. It was hard going through the thousands I had taken throughout the year. And the hundreds that I had gotten done professionally. It's a little ridiculous. Then I realized I am horrible at following directions and posted more that 12. ;)
Enjoy.