Goodbye 2017~

I'm beyond ready for 2018, as I have a strong feeling that it will be a year full of love, laughter, joy, and surprises!

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve at my parents house with my aunt and uncle, & one of my moms dear friends. Adam worked Christmas Eve, however a little mister was excited to open gifts from Santa as soon as Adam arrive home on Christmas day. Michael's favorite toy was a remote control boat hand picked by Adam. Adam, Mikey and I then spent the day relaxing, cooking, minimal cleaning, and napping.

It was so peaceful sitting in the living room on Christmas Eve while enjoying a good book.

Opening Santa's gifts at Grandma and Papa's house.

Christmas morning cuddles while waiting for daddy to get home from work.

Michael loves to help unwrap gifts!

The gift of the year, Michael's remote controlled boat!

This is Michael's outfit that he chose to wear while going to the pool to play with his boat.

My little backseat driver~

Playing with their boats. It still amazes me that we have sunny, 80 degree weather on Christmas!

We enjoyed playing Yeti in My Spaghetti!

The nurse in me wants to start an IV in Michael's right hand! I can't help it, I look at everyone's veins!

Because who doesn't sit on their daddies shoulders on a Friday night watching movies?

This will be my last post in 2017! With this post, I leave behind the unbelievably difficult hurdles that I overcame! It's time to focus on the new journey that lies in front of me! 2018 is going to be my year, I can sense it!

Flurries of Fun~

Are you as surprised as I am that it's Christmas Eve? December has flown by unlike any other year! I truly can't say that I'm saddened by this, as I'm anxiously awaiting 2018!

We've had one Christmas gift nestled under the tree (for three days) awaiting Michael's opening. I caved in this morning and allowed him to open it as he's been such a pest asking when it can be opened! I've contemplated throwing it over the back fence, as he's asked at a minimum of fifty plus times each day. Clearly I would never actually throw it, I simply didn't want to hear about it any longer!

My little love~

I made the most amazing dinner the other night! I found the recipe for bacon cheeseburger stuffed zucchini boats on Pintrest. I didn't look at the directions prior to preparing the meal, however I imagined it wasn't going to turn out as the recipe for the sauce calls for 1 Tbsp tomato paste, 2 Tbsp mustard, and 2 Tbsp ketchup. Had I read this prior, I likely wouldn't have made it as this grossed me out! However, I will absolutely make this meal again as it was fabulous!

Here's the recipe, as it's too good to not share! Don't mind the large gap between the instructions, it won't allow me to delete the space and I'm too tired to fight with it!

Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 467 kcal

Author Brenda Bennett | Sugar-Free Mom

Ingredients

• 5 ounces uncured nitrate free bacon
• 2 zucchini about 1.5 pounds
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp mustard
• 2 tbsp no sugar added ketchup
• 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese divided

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a skillet, cook the bacon until crisp and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels. Chop into piece once cooled.
3. Slice each zucchini lengthwise and scoop out the inside seeds, leaving about 1/4 inch from the sides. Place this removed insides of zucchini in a bowl and set aside.
4. Rub the oil around the inside of each halved zucchini and place on a baking sheet pan.
5. Bake for 20 minutes.
6. While the zucchini is baking you can make the filling.
7. Remove some of the bacon grease from the skillet, leaving about a tablespoon or so in the pan.
8. Cook the onion until softened then add the ground beef and insides of zucchini you had scooped out.
9. Cook beef until browned then add seasonings, tomato paste, mustard and ketchup.
10. Stir to combine the stir in 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese.
11. Allow it to melt, turn off the heat and return half the bacon into the mixture.
12. Once zucchini is cooked, remove from the oven and fill each half with the filling.
13. Top with remaining shredded cheese and bacon.
14. Broil for 2 minutes to melt the cheese on top.
15. Enjoy!

Unfortunately, while chopping the onion, I sliced a large flap on my thumb.

 

A few months back, I stabbed my left wrist while cutting apples. I've never been this clumsy in the kitchen! Perhaps this is God's way of telling me to stay out of the kitchen!

Well, I've got a lot of cleaning to do as our home is a huge mess! Santa can't see the house in this shape!

Until next time!

Hello December!

Oy vey, it's been a rollercoaster ride since my return home from Colorado! I returned home on a Monday, & received a call (while at work) that Michael had fallen off the monkey bars at school & wasn't moving his arm. We went to the emergency department and found a fracture in his left elbow which required surgical repair. Thank heavens the orthopedic surgeon that performed his surgery is one that I've worked with (in the operating room) many, many times and absolutely trusted him with my baby! This landed an admission to the pediatric floor overnight. A huge benefit of Adam & I both covering Michael's medical insurance means that we don't have to pay a cent! I can say that it was unbelievably difficult being the mom of the patient, rather than the nurse of the patient! It was such a surreal experience, which provided insight on the emotions that parents must experience when they're in the same position as I was in. Michael had a cast for three and a half weeks, and he loved it! I was beyond excited when it was removed, as it had become so dirty over the period that he had it!

This seems to be the year of surgery, as I'm preparing for surgery this week! Again, it's much easier being the nurse in the operating room, versus the patient!

I couldn't resist matching mommy/baby pj's, and had a difficult time finding matching Christmas pj's in both my size & Michael's size... So we settled for this set! I've got to do it while I can as it won't last much longer!

Colorado Or Bust!

I have to say that I am beyond excited to take a very last minute trip to Colorado soon! I've  been watching the weather and it has been perfect! I've already noted a few quilting stores that I'm hoping to explore, all the while seeing family! I'll surely have many photos to share soon!

Here's to safe travels!

Welcome Fall!

Hello all! I've clearly been MIA as life has been a bit hectic as of recent. I've been deep cleaning every ounce of our home (including our garage which is typically Adam's job). I have donated such an incredible amount of our belongings! It feels absolutely great! I had been wanting to do so while I was in school, yet had very little "free" time, & when I did, I wanted to spend it with my boys!



While Fall doesn't "officially" begin until September 22nd, it has begun in our home! September has always been one of my favorite months as it's the month that my grandma was born! In fact, when we were trying to conceive, I hoped that we would have a little one due in September. If we would have had a girl, her name would have been Sophia Caroline, after my grandma Carol.

Have you seen Starbucks PSL (pumpkin spice latte) pumpkin hatch on their Facebook page? It's adorable! This morning, the pumpkin was performing yoga. You'll have to check it out! Sadly, my PSL intake will be limited this Fall as I'm going strong on my diet!

Oh how I miss the changing leaves in Oregon! Yet again, here's another photo of my favorite bridge in Oregon. I have always been intrigued by the St. John's bridge, yet have no idea why.

My Fall table runner is in the same state as when I last posted. I've got approximately four or five of the sections sewn. I haven't had motivation to sew, and when I do, I'm too lazy to clear my sewing table! I've also been too lazy/tired to cross stitch, as it would consist of setting up my favorite lamp. The struggle is real!

One of our three guard dogs on duty. Otto enjoys barking at anything or anyone who dares to step foot into our cul-de-sac. Don't mind the junk to the left of the front door (outside), that was one of my many piles awaiting pick up from one of the thrift stores.

Why yes, that is a Mohawk that Otto's sporting! My darn husband requests this annually, and I absolutely hate it! Yet, I refuse to put Otto in my car to transport him to the groomers, so I suppose since Adam's willing to, I should be thankful!

Yet again, adding more fabric to my stockpile

I received the final shipment of my fabric and am in love! I received Kate & Birdie Paper Co.'s layer cake, in addition to Under the Ocean Blue by Katie Doucette layer cake. Like most of my fabric resting in my stockpile, I haven't yet decided what I'll create with it. I'm sure I'll find a great idea!

Fall is Nearing~

I couldn't resist a great sale on candles at Bath & Body Works as I'm overdue for Fall scented candles that will fill our home with the gentle reminder of the season. One of the many things that I miss about home in Oregon, is the crisp cool weather, with the beautiful colors of the ever changing leaves. On the other hand, I do not miss having to rake & pick up said leaves, especially when they were home to slugs! This is one of the many reasons that I'm looking forward to living in Colorado, as we'll enjoy the four seasons that Southern Arizona lacks!

Additionally, I couldn't resist changing my blogs theme to something a bit more Fallish. Yes, I'm fully aware that Fallish is not noted in the dictionary, however it can be found in my personal dictionary!

Water Fun Had By All~ With the Exception of the Tadpoles & Frogs~

Our little love is so kind and gentle to all things living, which tells me that as his mommy, that he has listened wisely to the advise that we as his parents, his grandparents, and other friends, family members, school buddies, and teachers! I could go on and on about how much he warms every inch of my heart and soul, however that's nothing new and you all have heard it a million times.

Adam and Michael had such fun while searching for living creatures while we played in the storms aftermath. I hope to return again soon, before the water runs dry!

Storm Aftermath~

The sound of the stream and the birds is absolutely heartwarming to my soul! It's not usual to hear such beautiful water sounds while in AZ! You'll likely have to turn your volume up to hear the harmony.

Yesterday after I left work, Adam, Michael & I decided to trek Tanque Verde wash. What is a wash you may be asking? Well, for us who live in Arizona, it's a dry riverbed throughout most of the year. The exception is during monsoon season, when torrential downpours occur, typically filling the dry beds with anywhere from a few inches to many feet of water.

We were surprised to see the damage that occurred during the past storm, which I've posted photos of the trees down on the apartment building. Michael had a great time, and was busy finding tadpoles and frogs galore. I unfortunately didn't change out of my scrubs, and wish I would have in order to trek through the beautiful little stream.

This is usually a street that travels through Wentworth, however the storm tore the street to pieces.

On a hunt with daddy~

Silly boy was trying to plank in the water!

This is the aftermath after stumbling onto my booty while trying to save my phone from falling in the water.

First Storm~

Last week we had an epic monsoon storm which resulted in a microburst. It hit the East side with tremendous force. The video below was taken the morning after the storm, of an apartment complex. I was in awe of the massive destruction, and Michael had many questions. This my friends, is why it is unbelievably important to have renters insurance!

What is a Microburst?

A microburst is a localized column of sinking air (downdraft) within a thunderstorm and is usually less than or equal to 2.5 miles in diameter. Microbursts can cause extensive damage at the surface, and in some instances, can be life-threatening. There are two primary types of microbursts: 1) wet microbursts and 2) dry microbursts. Wet microbursts are accompanied by significant precipitation and are common in the Southeast during the summer months (taken from the National Weather Service).

What causes a Microburst?
It all starts with the development of a thunderstorm and the water droplets/hailstones being suspended within the updraft.  Sometimes an updraft is so strong it suspends large amounts of these droplets and hailstones in the upper portions of the thunderstorm. There are many factors that can lead to evaporational cooling (sinking air) and therefore weakening of the updraft. Once this occurs, it is no longer capable of holding the large core of rain/hail up in the thunderstorm. As a result, the core plummets to the ground. As it hits the ground it spreads out in all directions. The location in which the microburst first hits the ground experiences the highest winds and greatest damage.