To Infinity And Beyond

Halloween 2013 can officially be classified as a success!  Liam was able to put his Buzz Lightyear costume to use not 1, not 2 but 3 times!  First we went to a Trunk or Treat, and then a party at his school, and finally actually Halloween this evening where we went around to a couple of the fire stations and also trick or treated around the neighborhood.  Halloween was SO much fun this year because Liam clearly knew what was going on this time and he was genuinely excited and into it.  We ended our night by handing out some of the candy we had bought to other kids around the neigh hood.  Liam was scared by two things this evening:  A gorilla costume with creeping moving gums sitting in a chair at our next door neighbor's house and a parent that came to our down with a creepy clown mask.  He had a hard time going to sleep thanks to those two things.  I am just hoping that he won't be having any nightmares thanks to them.  All in all the Halloween experience as a mother is much more than it ever was going on my own.  I am so happy to be able to experience this holiday and share it with Liam.  It is so much fun to be able to dress up together!  I am such a proud Momma Jessie of my little Buzz. 

The Trunk or Treat Photos:

Halloween Carnival at Liam's School Pictures:

 

 

Halloween 2013 Pictures

 

Maple Apple BBQ Chicken & Cheesy Veggies

The chicken was very moist and delicious, and I must admit that I was completely winging it on the cheese sauce, so I am portraying the recipe as to what I would do next time.  The taste was amazing, but the sauce should have been thicker.  Enjoy!

BBQ Chicken

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp Butter

4 Chicken Breasts (boneless, skinless)

Seasoning (Hickory Balsamic, Barbecue, Crushed Rosemary)

1 Cup BBQ Sauce (I used Maple Apple)

1 Apple (Cored & Sliced)

Directions: 

Put the butter in a heavy bottom skillet.  Add the chicken and seasonings.  Cook thoroughly on both sides on med-high heat.  About 10-15 minutes.  Turn the heat down to Low and add the BBQ Sauce and the apply slices.  Simmer for about 5 minutes until the apples start to soften.  Serve and enjoy!

Cheesy Veggies

Ingredients

2 Cups Frozen or Fresh Veggies (use any kind you prefer)

1/2 Cup Sliced Cheddar Cheese

1/4 Cup Milk

Salt & Pepper (or you can use Alpine Touch)

Directions:

Boil the veggies on high until thawed or soft.  Strain the water out and turn the heat to low.  Add the remaining ingredients and stir until thoroughly mixed and cheese is melted.  Serve & enjoy! 

 

Add the chicken to the skillet

Brown the chicken and boil the veggies

Seasonings & BBQ Sauce that I used

Add the BBQ sauce to the pan

Continue boiling the veggies and add the apples tot he chicken

My Sous Chef Helping with the veggies

Add the cheese and milk to the veggies

Simmer both until thoroughly mixed

Serve & Enjoy!

The Mark McGwire Theory

I must give all inspirational credit for tonight's blog for a new but already dear friend of mine that introduced me to this theory tonight.  He explained to me that the Mark McGwire theory was in essence that Mark McGwire refused to give up at beating Roger Maris' home run's in a single year record.  As anyone familiar with baseball can tell you McGwire was finally successful in beating Maris' record in 1998.  The main point of this story was that in working towards the single year home run record and in the pursuit of beating Hank Aaron's all-time record Mark McGwire was ranked 4th for most strike outs at bat.  McGwire knew that in order to achieve his goal that he was just going to have to keep trying and striking out until he could finally get that homer. 

This really made me think a lot about myself and situations in the past.  Although I have been through my fair share of horror dating stories (which one day will make it into a book if I have any say in it), I still find that renewed sense of hope.  Although I may get up to the plate and get that strike out again and again, I know that half the battle is just stepping up to the plate in the first place.  I could sit in the dugout scared and alone for the rest of my life.  I could watch the game of life going on and get played right on by without me, but would I ever be fulfilled?

I know without a doubt that my life would not be over nor would it be a bad life if I were to sit in that dugout for the rest of the game.  However I also know that if I were to step up to that plate that something AMAZING could happen.  The stars could align and I could be in the right place at the right time with the right person and it could be by home-run in the dating game of life. 

I know that the perfect ball is just waiting to be pitched to me, and for me to hit it just write with my bat, and the crack will sound in the air....  the thunder to the lightning that could strike (Meet Joe Black reference for those not as in love with the movie a I am).  I know that someone on this Earth there is somebody out there that I am meant to love like no other in this lifetime.  Sometimes we just have to step up and risk the strikeout for the hopes that someday we will be standing at the plate getting that home run that we have been playing for our whole lives.   I truly believe this to be true.  I think we all have that home-run in our lives, we just can't lose site of it, and get bogged down by all the strike outs.  Dust your butt off if you are sulking in the dugout, swallow your pride and get back on that field, ready at the plate for the pitch to be thrown.  You may be pleasantly surprised by what life throws at you when you are truly ready and confident in yourself.   You attract what you put out.  Let's all put out something positive right now. 

That's all I have for now, have a great night my wonderful readers!
-Brittany

Steak Nachos

If you have been to my house for dinner enough times, you are bound to end up trying my signature steak nachos.  There is nothing complicated to it, but they are the most delicious of all the nachos that I make.  Something about steak and cheese and anything else that is just plain awesomeness!  Enjoy!

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 lb Stewing Steak
Seasoning (Montreal Steak Grill Mates and Cumin)
Chips (I used Hint of Lime)
Salsa
Sour Cream
Tomatoes (Chopped)
Green Onions (Chopped)
Black Olives (Sliced)
Avocado (Sliced)

Directions:
Add the oil to a skillet, and then add the steak and seasoning.  Cook on medium heat for about 7 minutes until cooked to desired temperature.  While cooking, prepare the other ingredients that need to be sliced or chopped (Tomatoes, Green Onions, Black Olives, and Avocado).  Arrange the amount of chips you want on a plate and add the cheese, steak and green onions.  Microwave for about 35 seconds or until cheese is melted.  Add the salsa, sour cream and remaining toppings.  Serve & Enjoy!   

Add the oil, steak & seasoning to the skillet

Prepare the toppings

Cook the steak to the desired temperature

Add chips, cheese, steak & green onions to the plate

Melt the cheese in the microwave

Add remaining toppings and enjoy