Monday Blues

I have the MAJOR Monday Blues today!!! As I look around my house its like a bomb went off. I will spend most of today doing all the smelly laundry and picking  up after my 3 pigs. It was a busy fun filled weekend and I didn't do anything around the house. At least I will make a home cooked meal!! Boys wanted my Italian Meatloaf. 

Anna's Italian Meatloaf

1 lb. ground beef (I use the 7% fat one) 

1 lb. ground pork
2 large eggs
1 cup Itailian seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup Romano cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup ketchup
4 garlic clover minced
1/2. minced onion
1/3 cup milk

Mix all together
shape into a loaf on cooking sheet
put some Ketchup on top of loaf just to cover.
Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Side ideas, mashed potatos, oven roasted potatos, peas, carrots, green beans, etc.

I am making oven roasted mini red potatos  and candied carrots.  Only because it what i have. My boys LOVE it with mashed potatos. 

Enjoy,

Anna DED

Cocktail Time.

This week was a long crazy busy week, weekend will be too. Boys are playing football in Tucson. GO WOLVES!!! Because the AZ HEAT has done a number on me this week. Headache I can't get rid of, heat rash, Asthma,crabby boys, crabby sick hubby, Gia in heat, and a 3 mile to-do list around the house I need help with. My poor family hasnt had any really home cooked meals. Sorry guys!!! Well its the weekend and im thinking COCKTAIL TIME!!! Im NO bartender but these are a few drinks I like I can make at home.

Cherry Vodka with Diet Coke

Whip Cream Vodka with Diet Root Beer (my fave right now)

William Sonoma Pineapple Margarita mix with Patron ( I like it over ice not blended)

Skinny Girl Margarita (over ice)

Crystal Light Pink Lemonade with Raspberry Vodka (I float a few berries in glass)

Have a FUN, SAFE, RELAXING weekend.
Anna DED

Melting...

I am so DONE with this AZ heat!!!! I sick of being HOT, STICKY AND SWEATY!!! I have heat rash so bad on my back and some on my face and chest. IM DONE!!! I feel so BAD my poor baby boys are out in this heat in full football gear and they NEVER complain!!! It must be my old age then. The older I get the more I can't deal with the heat. Im so done with having the shutters closed I want to see outside. My yard looks like there is no life in it. All my flowers are dead. I am a huge flower lover in my flower beds and pots.  On a happier note everyday that goes by is one more day closer to AZ fall. We do have the best Fall, Winter and Spring seasons. I can't wait to start getting out all of my Halloween/Fall stuff. If you have ever been to my house you know I go CRAZY over all the Holidays. Every room is decorated from floor to ceiling. Remember im the crazy lady with 6 Christmas trees!!! I go so over board on the holidays that it has become a issue for storage. Our third car garage is FILLED with all the holiday stuff. I can't help it!!! I keep buying more stuff too!!! I promised Gabe I would get rid of the stuff I don't use any more or sick of it.  I want my boys to always have the memories of Mom (me) always making the holidays so special. My Mom always made the holidays special and my sister and I have all those memories in our hearts FOREVER!!! This time of year I get so excited for football season, holidays around the corner, and cooler weather!!! So as I have those happy thoughts in my head, my body is still MELTING!!!!!

Daily Meal Idea, Because it so HOT, my BFF(crock pot) is cooking for me today
Red Chili Beef
3 to 4 lbs. Beef roast
1 tub of frozen New Mexico red chili (in freezer section Hot or Mild to your taste)
1 onion chopped
6 minced clovers of garlic
2 tablespoons of cumin
half of cup of beef broth or 1 beef bullion cube

Put all in crock pot and cook for 6 hours plus. Shred it and serve with rice, beans and of course tortillas.

This is my father in law fave meal I make him.
ENJOY
Anna DED

So Blessed

This weekend I had a amazing time!!! Friday birthday party with some really great girlfriends. Saturday football with boys and then shopping with a sweet friend. Dinner with one of Gabe's best friends who he grew up with and his beautiful wife and their kids. Sunday out to breakfast with my boys and a baby shower for my cousin. Then to wrap up the weekend dinner with my boys at Firebirds.  Yes it was a BUSY weekend. I didn't cook ANYTHING!!!! As reflect on my weekend my heart just melts how so blessed I am having some AMAZING friends and family in my life. My post I was going to post was about how crazy my boys make my life. With the fighting all the time, talking back,list goes on and on. Well after reading a Caring Bridge post from a friend. I am sitting here in tears. My heart is just broken for this family. They have been though HELL and back. I just sometimes don't understand why God can make some the best people here on earth go though such HELL. Why doesn't this stuff happen to really bad people? My son Gabriel read a poem at my mother in law funeral 2 years ago. About God only takes the best. The poem is amazing and it help my boys understand that God only takes the best, and their Grandma was one of those people. She was always there for someone in need. She would give the shirt off her back if someone need it. Its just so sad to hear really bad news around me. With cancer, family drama, sickness,or whatever stresses I know what people are going though. We all have issues. Let face it. WE ALL DO!!! I feel bad about the stress I have in my life. Because it doesn't even compare to the stresses others are going though. Just know I am praying for you everyday and you know who you are. Even the ones who I know are making some really bad choices in life about there family. You are all in my prayers. Sunday night I am sad my very BLESSED weekend has come to a end. Busy week this week!!! I am thinking we need some really fast easy meals ideas.

Margarita Chicken
4 chicken breasts
3 cloves of smashed garlic
2 cups of margarita mix
pepper to taste

marinate chicken for a couple of hours in margarita mix and garlic and then grill it.
Serve with spanish rice, or cut it up and serve on top of a salad.

This Pesto is DELISH!!! serve it on any kind of pasta.

Basil Pesto

Recipe courtesy Food Network Kitchens

Show: How To Boil WaterEpisode: Your Freezer, Your Friend

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Photo: Basil Pesto Recipe

Rated 5 stars out of 5

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Total Time:

5 min

Prep

5 min

Yield:

1 cup

Level:

Easy

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Ingredients

• 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino cheese (see Cook's Note)

Directions

Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add 1/2 cup of the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

If using immediately, add all the remaining oil and pulse until smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large serving bowl and mix in the cheese.

If freezing, transfer to an air-tight container and drizzle remaining oil over the top. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and stir in cheese.

Copyright 2003 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved

Settling in

Now that school has started for most of us. Im getting to get into my own grove again!!!! No more yelling and screaming at the kiddos all day, no more cooking and making snacks all day, not cleaning one mess after a neither mess. AWWW im kinda at peace. Bed time hasnt been too bad. The getting up early now thats a neither story. We are getting there. Hope everything at your homes are going smooth:)

Today is my Super Kid Friendly meal. Most of you all know I am so very LUCKY my boys will eat ANYTHING!!! This is a SUPER EASY, CHEAP, FAST meal. Just dont laugh!!! YES I USE
SHAKE IN BAKE!!!!

I get chicken tenders rise them and I use Extra Crispy Shake and Bake
Put them on a foil sheet with a little cooking spray and bake.
I think I bake them for 20 mins at 375. Look on box for the time.
For the side I  bake frozen sweet potato fries and cut up fruit.

This a go to meal when I don't want to cook or have to clean much up. Plus my boys LOVE it.

Anna DED

Target vs. Walmart

Target or Walmart? Which do you like better? I like both, but I like Target way better!!! I only shop at "The W" if I need a few groceries and a few toiletries items. I try not to go there. I feel like I need a shower after I leave there. The W is always so dirty!!!! Target is a very clean store!!!! Not to mention half of my closet is from Target and there is a Starbucks in there also. Today I did a "W" run. I needed to grab some ribbon for a craft im working on. They do have the BEST prices on ribbon and craft items.  I do love that "W" is caring alot of  organic items now like milk, eggs, fruit, etc. We had a Target right down the street from us. I would go there at least 2 times  a week. The store closed a few weeks ago and opened a new and much bigger Target a few miles from me. I am a little sad it closed. Im kinda weird I get all really excited when I need make a Target run. I LOVE when they put out all the holiday items too!!! Halloween is just around the corner!!!! Bring on FALL!!!  So who do you like better "T" or "W"

Daily Meal Idea

Beef Stroganoff in Crock Pot.

2 to 3 lbs. Stew meat
2 cans Cream of Mushroom soup with roasted garlic+ fill cans with water
1 packed of dried onion soup mix
1 pack of sliced mushrooms.

Throw all in crock pot and cook for 6 hours.
Serve over egg noodles
Put a scoop of sour cream on top

This is my Mom's recipe she has made for us forever. It might even be my Grandma Elle recipe.
My boys love it its very hearty and SUPER EASY!!!

Little Things...

Sometimes life gets so crazy we stop enjoying the simple little things in life. A beautiful sunset or sunrise, really listening to children laughter, just sitting and thinking, a smile, hug and kiss a loved one longer, etc. What little things in life do you enjoy but sometimes forget to savor it? Here is the little things I enjoy.
*Little kisses just because
* Watching a sunset
*Talking to my mom everyday
* New Lip Gloss
*Coffee by myself early in the morning to think about today.
* Date Nights
* Bike rides with the boys
* Taking a walk
* Naps
* Being the loudest Mom cheering on my boys at their games
*Smelling my boys after they have showered and they are snuggled in bed (ok that is kinda weird)
*The drive taking and picking up my boys. I LOVE to listen about their day.
* Sitting on the beach with my eyes closed listening to the waves crash and listening to the boys play in
   the sand.
* Going to Target
* Wrapping myself in a blanket and vegging out.
* After showering using a warm towel out of the dryer.
My list goes on and on!!!! I do need to enjoy the little things that make me happy more.

Daily Meal Idea. QUICK Pasta Bolognese This is one of my boys fave meals.

1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. bulk Italian sauage
1 Onion minced
6 clovers garlic (less if like)
1 large can of crushed tomatos in pruee
1 large can of tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups of red wine
1 tablespoon orengano
1 tablespoon basil
black pepper

Brown meats to together and drain.
add onion and garlic to pan sautee
add back drained meat
add tomato cans
add wine
add spices and simmer for about 20/30 mins.
add to any kind of pasta noodle you like.
Serve with salad and bread. ENJOY!!!

XOXOXO
Anna DED

Happy Dance!!!!!

ITS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!! IM DOING THE HAPPY DANCE!!! Don't get me wrong I LOVE spending time with them but its so time to go back!!! I like to start New Years Day and First Day of School both like the beginning or new chapter in life. I make the boys set goals and so do I. Boys do pretty good (ok kinda) at following though with what ever they decide is their goal. We are very excited about this year. Both boys seem to have good teachers and great groups for kiddos in their classes. What was your fave year in school or teacher that made the biggest impact on you? Here is a little first day of school poem.

A Circle of Friends We've joined together as classmates as the new year begins... A year full of learning while we become friends. We'll share and be kind as we work and play. And our friendship will grow with each passing day. xoxoxo Anna DED Here is a meal idea for tonight. Its one of my families fave meals.  Side ideas, Sauteed spinach in olive oil with garlic and few hot pepper flakys. Squeeze a lemon  on it for some freshness.  garlic bread Photo: Parmesan-Crusted Pork Chops Recipe Rated 5 stars out of 5 Rate This Recipe Read 694 Reviews Total Time: 27 min Prep 15 min Cook 12 min Yield: 4 servings Level: Easy Print Recipe Full-Page Viewnew Save to My Recipe Box Review Recipe E-Mail Share It! Tweet Ingredients 2 large eggs 1 cup dried Italian-style bread crumbs 3/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan 4 (1/2 to 3/4-inch thick) center-cut pork loin chops (each about 10 to 12 ounces) Salt and freshly ground black pepper 6 tablespoons olive oil Lemon wedges, for serving Directions Whisk the eggs in a pie plate to blend. Place the bread crumbs in another pie plate. Place the cheese in a third pie plate. Sprinkle the pork chops generously with salt and pepper. Coat the chops completely with the cheese, patting to adhere. Dip the chops into the eggs, then coat completely with the bread crumbs, patting to adhere. Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a very large skillet over medium heat. Add pork chops, in batches if necessary, and cook until golden brown and the center reaches 150 degrees, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer the chops to plates and serve with lemon wedge.

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

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Photo: Parmesan-Crusted Pork Chops Recipe

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