It has been a busy October for us lots of events as you can see from all the blogs. We got to end it with our very own Clark Kent trick or treaing!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
Grandmas Beef Stew
2 pounds of stew meat, cubed to 1 inch, fat removed
2 T marg/fat
1 t. Worcestershire sauce
1 clove garlic
1 onion, chopped or frozen pearl onions
1-2 bay leaves
1 T. salt
1 t. sugar
1/2 t. paprika
1/4 t. black pepper
Dash of allspice or cloves
6 carrots, peeled and chopped
4 potatoes, peeled and cubed- any kind I use red
2 Stalks Celery (optional)
In Dutch oven (I do mine stove top not in a Dutch oven), heat shortening. Cut off any visible fat from meat and cut large pieces down to 1 inch cubes or so. Brown beef cubes in hot shortening.
In 2 cup glass measuring cup(or small bowl), add all spice ingredients except onions and bay leaves...then stir in the 2 cups of hot water to spice mix and MIX WELL.
Add hot water mix, along with chopped onion and bay leaves to meat. Cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours, checking and stirring to avoid meat sticking or burning. Keep simmer on LOW and add a bit of water at times if necessary...really keep an eye on it.
Add carrots, potatoes, and celery (I use many more than the recipe calls for). Stir them into meat and simmer for 30 minutes or more, until veggies are cooked thru.
Stir some cornstarch into COLD water (about ½ cup and 3T corn starch) in a small bowl or coffee cup until smooth, using a fork to break up any chunks of cornstarch. Add this to hot beef stew and stir into the broth very, very good, until broth thickens, over LOW heat. Cornstarch needs to be cooked a little, after adding. Make sure there is enough liquid and the heat is low enough when adding the cornstarch liquid.
Remove Bay leaves, and enjoy your meal!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
I'll Love you Forever
I’ll love you forever. I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living. My baby you’ll be.
This weekend I got to hear the words I have been longing to hear from you. You love to be in my craft room with me getting your hands into everything and anything! And I always let you play with all my fabrics and old scrapbook paper. The room is a mess after 10 minutes but it is always an hour well spent and filled with smiles and laughter. Today we were singing songs together and you were babbling back and forth with me. I said “Nolan I love you” and you looked right at me and said “I Wouve you!” (in a Scooby Doo kind of voice) I had to say it again to make sure I heard you right “I love you” and as quick as can be “I Wouve you” I have been waiting for this day and to top it off you kept saying it over and over followed giving big hugs! Then as we were cleaning up and getting ready to leave the room you ran up to me and I picked you up. You wrapped your arms around my neck and said “Love you Mommy” You have made my entire week and I love you so much!! You are filled with so much love and are really starting to show your affection!
Baby in a Pumpkin..... More like Toddler
So I'm addicted to Pinterest and I saw this idea last year of a baby in a pumpkin... So being the crafty lady I try to be I thought I would stick Nolan in a pumpkin this year. It didn't exactly turn out as I hoped, who am I kidding it didn't turn out at all! My child is a little to long to be in a pumpkin but he was a team player while his crazy mommy snapped pictures! Maybe if I kept his shirt on he wouldn't look so huge??? But it is 80 degrees in October!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Cheesburger in Paradise
Every since my brother-in-law Jason made us Burgers we have had his burgers almost once a week. So I thought I would share the simple deliciousness
Ingredients:
Ground beef, Basil, Red Onion, Garlic Cloves, A little Salt and paper, 1 egg- Mix it all together, Grill and top with your favorite cheese! We like pepperjack. This burger is amazingly delicious! Enjoy.
We add some sweet potato fries as a side and it is Scrumptious
Ingredients:
Ground beef, Basil, Red Onion, Garlic Cloves, A little Salt and paper, 1 egg- Mix it all together, Grill and top with your favorite cheese! We like pepperjack. This burger is amazingly delicious! Enjoy.
We add some sweet potato fries as a side and it is Scrumptious
Friday, October 19, 2012
Pumpkin Time... A little taste of the Midwest
Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year. I start talking about Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced Lattes the last week of August while it is still 100 degrees outside! But they are worth the wait. And then follows pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin farms, carving pumpkins, Halloween, and Turkey I love it all.
It is finally starting to feel like Fall in Dallas nothing will every be like back home in Chicago but I'll take the 70 degree weather and pretend it is 50. Nolan and I took our first adventure to the Dallas Arboretum and we loved it. I am hoping to go back and get a yearly membership. it is downtown Dallas right off of White Rock Lake. This year for the Fall they decorated a section with a Cinderella theme. There is face painting, a petting zoo, hay maze, and over 20,000 pumpkins!
I googled and googled and finally found a really pumpkin farm in Texas. Big Orange Pumpkin Farm, Celina, TX here we come. We drove 45 minutes to the middle of no where to find a beautiful farm with a hayride, livestock, a hay maze (the real deal), a pumpkin patch, and tractor rides. I could not have asked for a better Sunday to spend with my boys. Nolan got to feed the goats, sheep, longhorns or cows, and chickens. He couldn't get enough of the goats there was only 30+ to choose from on which one to feed he was smiling from ear to ear. Showing us how to feed them and clapping for himself afterward. At first he was unsure of the longhorns but once daddy showed him how to feed them he was mister independent. After 2 hours at the farm, mud on our shoes and grass stains on our knees it was what I call a perfect Sunday!
It is finally starting to feel like Fall in Dallas nothing will every be like back home in Chicago but I'll take the 70 degree weather and pretend it is 50. Nolan and I took our first adventure to the Dallas Arboretum and we loved it. I am hoping to go back and get a yearly membership. it is downtown Dallas right off of White Rock Lake. This year for the Fall they decorated a section with a Cinderella theme. There is face painting, a petting zoo, hay maze, and over 20,000 pumpkins!
I have always said I would never put my child on a "leash" but after experiencing him at the Arboretum I completely understand why parents do that with their children. Nolan was on the go pumpkin here, pumpkin there he had to see everyone. These days he finds it hilarious to run away from us and have us catch him but if you could hear the laughter that comes out of him I will chase him any day. He caught on very quickly that mommy wanted picture of him in the pumpkins so every pumpkin he would see he would sit on an smile, imagine 20,000 pumpkins! It was precious.
Nolan went to his 1st OU volleyball game- it was at TCU in Fort Worth. OU Won!!
I googled and googled and finally found a really pumpkin farm in Texas. Big Orange Pumpkin Farm, Celina, TX here we come. We drove 45 minutes to the middle of no where to find a beautiful farm with a hayride, livestock, a hay maze (the real deal), a pumpkin patch, and tractor rides. I could not have asked for a better Sunday to spend with my boys. Nolan got to feed the goats, sheep, longhorns or cows, and chickens. He couldn't get enough of the goats there was only 30+ to choose from on which one to feed he was smiling from ear to ear. Showing us how to feed them and clapping for himself afterward. At first he was unsure of the longhorns but once daddy showed him how to feed them he was mister independent. After 2 hours at the farm, mud on our shoes and grass stains on our knees it was what I call a perfect Sunday!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Summer Fun
This summer was filled with summer fun. We spent lots of time playing in water and running around the splash parks. By our house we have an amazing splash park that Nolan loves to go to. Water is one of his favorite activities. Nolan took swim lessons this summer and learned to put his face in the waters and blow bubbles. We took a trip to Lake Geneva, We had many playdates with his friend Avelyn and went to visit Fort Worth Zoo.
Me and Daddy fishing
Double Trouble
I love to help mommy clean!
Fort Worth Zoo
Nolan's First Birthday
Nolan,
A year has passed already and an incredible year it has been. Birthdays are meant to be special and we celebrated all week with you celebrating your important milestone. Grandma Dawn, Aunt Maizi, Great Grandma Evelyn, Grandpa John, Grandma Linda, and your cousin Jansen all came in town to celebrate with you.
I took time this week to just look at you while you were sleeping taking in all that a year has brought us. A year ago we were preparing for your arrival I would sit in your empty room dreaming of what you would look like and who you would become. I could not wait to get you in my arms and love and kiss you. The night before you were born your dad and I were lying in bed talking about the parents we wanted to be how we wanted you to be healthy, kind, smart, handsome, happy, honest, and loving. That no matter what happens in life we just wanted you to know your parents love you, we will be there for you and you can trust us. We want you to be you and no one else.
A year has passed already and an incredible year it has been. Birthdays are meant to be special and we celebrated all week with you celebrating your important milestone. Grandma Dawn, Aunt Maizi, Great Grandma Evelyn, Grandpa John, Grandma Linda, and your cousin Jansen all came in town to celebrate with you.
I took time this week to just look at you while you were sleeping taking in all that a year has brought us. A year ago we were preparing for your arrival I would sit in your empty room dreaming of what you would look like and who you would become. I could not wait to get you in my arms and love and kiss you. The night before you were born your dad and I were lying in bed talking about the parents we wanted to be how we wanted you to be healthy, kind, smart, handsome, happy, honest, and loving. That no matter what happens in life we just wanted you to know your parents love you, we will be there for you and you can trust us. We want you to be you and no one else.
In this last year you have taught me in a matter of moments of entering my life how different I was before you. How different my life was before you. How different my heart was before you. And now how different my life and heart will be forever because of you.
You look at me and just smile. My world stops when you smile at me. Anything that has happened in the last week, day, or hour doesn’t matter when you smile at me, it makes my world stop and I smile back and just take in that moment. You make me so happy. I love that you are so happy. I love that you love me. I love that you have so much energy and just want to play. You are the definition of a boy. Your laugh melts my heart and you laugh often.
Happy 1st Birthday Nolan Michael
Love,
Mom
One Years Old
1. What is your favorite color? No colors yet
2. What is your favorite toy? Anything with Music
3. What is your favorite stuffed animal? The monkey beanie baby
4. What is your favorite thing to sleep with? Yellow and green blanket
5. What is your favorite fruit? I like all fruits, grapes
6. What is your favorite cereal? Cheerios
7. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cereal
8. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Tacos at school
9. What is your favorite dessert? Not big on sweets
10. What is your favorite drink? Milk
11. What do you want to eat for your birthday dinner? Chicken
12. What is your favorite animal? Elephant
13. What is your favorite book? Polar Bear Polar Bear
14. What is your favorite song? Open Shut Them
15. What is your favorite game? No Games yet
16. What is your favorite TV show? Mickey Mouse
17. What is your favorite movie? No Movies
18. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Bubbles
19. Who is your best friend? Avelynn
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? My mommy tells me a Petrophysicist
Traveling- San Diego and Chicago
In February 2012 we all met in San Diego for a "family reunion" if you will. It was the first time since our wedding that me and all 4 of my sister were in the same place. And the first time all the cousins got to meet each other. The whole weekend was perfect and memorable. To top it off Grandma Evelyn and Grandpa George drove up from Arizona to meet their Great-Great-Grand kids! It was a very special weekend all.
Nolan's 1st Plane Ride
My cousins
Nolan and Nevia
Nolan and Noah
Lydia, Nolan, Noah, Michael
First time at the beach and my first steps- they just happened to be in the ocean with bare feet in the sand
My Beautiful Family
Great Great Aunt Loraine and Great Great Uncle Ken
Great Uncle Russell
Shane, Katie, and Julia-2nd Cousins
The Biard Family
Always Happy!!
1st Holidays
The holidays are a time to share with family and loved ones. The Fall came quickly followed by Christmas. Before we jump into the holidays John and I added a new nephew to the bunch. Noah Hensley Gerety was born September 16, 2011 just 3 months after Nolan.
This year (2011) we spent Thanksgiving and Christmas at home. I was so excited to host my first Thanksgiving and cook my very first turkey. Thanks to my older sister Nellie who provided me with an amazing recipe to slow cook a turkey it was a great success and the only way I will ever cook a turkey for years to come! Plus I made my own cranberry sauce, it is so simple to make.
John's parents came in town for our Thanksgiving celebration. We had lots of food, love and laughter that weekend. After turkey day instead of shopping we were able to go see Shrek ICE at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Dallas. It is all hand made ice sculptures of Shrek really neat to experience if you are ever in Dallas.
To finish off the Holiday season John and I welcomed another niece to the family, Miss Nevia Evelyn Rose Lithopoulos January 6, 2012. We are now proud Aunt and Uncle of 3 nephews and 2 nieces. Nolan has 2 cousins his age, if we all lived in the same area they would probably be in the same class together. I can only imagine Nevia trying to have a boyfriend in High School with Nolan and Noah looking out for her good luck boys! Especially considering where they stand on the growth charts as babies. Jason, I don't think you would mind her cousins being on team dad!
Happy Halloween!!
A smiling Skeleton
Turkey Day
This year (2011) we spent Thanksgiving and Christmas at home. I was so excited to host my first Thanksgiving and cook my very first turkey. Thanks to my older sister Nellie who provided me with an amazing recipe to slow cook a turkey it was a great success and the only way I will ever cook a turkey for years to come! Plus I made my own cranberry sauce, it is so simple to make.
My turkey appetizer
John's parents came in town for our Thanksgiving celebration. We had lots of food, love and laughter that weekend. After turkey day instead of shopping we were able to go see Shrek ICE at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Dallas. It is all hand made ice sculptures of Shrek really neat to experience if you are ever in Dallas.
Merry Christmas
Christmas we spent at home just the 3 of us or should I say 5 with the dogs. It was quiet, relaxing and simple. Nolan enjoyed opening his gifts on Christmas morning and playing with all his new toys from Santa and family members. 
To finish off the Holiday season John and I welcomed another niece to the family, Miss Nevia Evelyn Rose Lithopoulos January 6, 2012. We are now proud Aunt and Uncle of 3 nephews and 2 nieces. Nolan has 2 cousins his age, if we all lived in the same area they would probably be in the same class together. I can only imagine Nevia trying to have a boyfriend in High School with Nolan and Noah looking out for her good luck boys! Especially considering where they stand on the growth charts as babies. Jason, I don't think you would mind her cousins being on team dad!
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