MIA

Hi there, ladies. I'm sorry I haven't been posting, but things are a bit crazy right now. Let's just say that I'm trying to take care of myself for a little while, and hopefully I can resume blogging in a couple of weeks. Thanks for your support and emails!
~Karyn

Cache Valley Movie Night Recap!

To tell you how much fun we had, let me say that many of us agreed we needed Guilty Pleasures day at least twice a month!

The movie was so funny I cried. Plus it helped to be with a bunch of great friends! I could not find whatever website it is that will give you a short rundown of the film, but you can find the trailers online if you haven't seen them. I even think the men in the audience enjoyed it!

After the show we headed to Casper's for some great ice cream, much more laughing, some crazy stories, and a spectacular view of a full moon (you know who you are)! We tried to take some pictures but we were all laughing so hard we couldn't get any good ones. Seriously, it's like ghost faces...lol.

Ok, well so much fun! Go see the movie!

Just For Laughs

How is a busy mom of 3 little ones able to get so much blogging so done??

Confessions Page

It's the weekend!!

Have a great weekend, everyone!! Enjoy your kids!

Friday

Yay! It's almost the weekend!

Happy Mom Goal

Head off to a cheap close-out store, like Ross or TJmax, and pick out something cute for your house. Could be a flower pot, a vase, or even a new cooking pan! It's simple, but you'll get a little bit of the wonderful "high" that comes from spending money on something fun. Plus, your hubby can't complain when you're new item costs less than $20!

(The pitcher is my new find from Ross...$9.99)

Happy Kid Goal

Draw a chalk racetrack on the sidewalk or driveway so your speed racer can zip around it on her trike or other ride-on.
OR
Create a backyard obstacle course for a toy lawn mower or set one up in the living room for a play vacuum cleaner.
My girls love both!

Happy Husband Goal

Okay, I lifted this idea from Cher over on Love, Actually. But it's a super cute idea!

"I was just thinking back to the days when my husband and I were dating in college. We both had apartments full of rommmates and none of them were dating. We didn't think they'd appreciate our lovey-dovey-ness, so the park became our place. Often, after dark, we would pack up the laptop, a DVD, a blanket, and a few snacks and head to the park. This is us...except, we were in a park, not a meadow.And we didn't have a logo in front of our faces. :) Oh, and my husband is WAY better looking!
Okay, let's be honest here...movies in the park could be translated into makeout in the park. Perhaps you can relate? Now, I'm sitting here wondering,"WHAT HAPPENED to those days? Did we grow out of that? Are we too old now?"It's not like it's hard to do or expensive...nor does it require much planning. (Okay, if you have kids, your babysitter might think it a little weird that they're being paid while you two go to the park, of all places. And your kids might hate you for going to the park without them....but, someday they'll understand.)"

Happy House Goal

I don't know about you, but my magazine piles certainly know how to stack up fast! Some of them I save (like my church magazines) but most of them - like clothing catalogues - I'm eventually going to throw away. Seriously, magazines seem to put themselves into piles all over my house: the office desk, the living room end table, the rocking chair side pocket, even my kitchen counter. Today, go through and organize your magazines and store catalogues. Throw out the ones you don't need and put all the others "away-away" in a spot out of sight. (Keeping household surfaces clear of clutter is the number one way to have a tidy house!)

Dinner Tonight

Steak in a "Mole" Rub

This is a recipe for a totally bold flavor for your meat!

Mix together equal parts:
chili powder
grated orange peel
chocolate shavings (you heard me; chocolate!)
Apply rub evenly over surface of meat, cover and refrigerate for 30 miuntes. Grill steak to desired done-ness.

Today's Pep Talk

Whew! We made it through another week! I just wanted to remind you that if you are a mother, you are amazing. I truly cannot say it enough, but I honestly believe that it is the hardest, most demanding job in the world. My husband, who is the oldest of 9 children, agrees with me - having helped his own mother raise kids for nearly 27 years. It takes so much out of us each day, even if we don't let anyone in on it! Yet, we still continue to do it every day - we HAVE to! But the best part is, we all love it. And that ladies, is what makes us SO AMAZING!

Scroll down for Thursday's goals!

So Sorry ~ it won't happen again!

Okay, so I've been a terrible slacker on the recipe page! It's been a good month and a half since I caught up the Dinner Recipes. But you'll be happy to know that I just spent nearly 2 hours (including my kids' nap time!) updating the recipe page! You better all go use it now! Lol!

HMC RECIPE PAGE

I'm Back Again! Thursday Goals

Hope you all had a fun 4th of July! I sure did!

Happy Mom Goal:

Watch your favorite movie this afternoon when the kids are down for a nap. Enjoy your favorite snack along with it!

Happy Kid Goal:

Teach your kids a new game or song today. Something you did as a kid!

Happy Husband Goal:

I threw this together the other night when my husband was on his way home from work. When he walked in, there was a candle-light picnic on the living room floor and a fun movie ready to play. I made italian food and we watched "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," a great one for both husbands and wives!

Happy House Goal:

Pick a bed to clean under. Throw away as much as you can!

Dinner Tonight:

Broiled Parmesan Tilapia

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon celery salt
2 pounds tilapia fillets

Preheat your oven's broiler. Grease a broiling pan or line pan with aluminum foil.
In a small bowl, mix together the Parmesan cheese, butter, mayonnaise and lemon juice. Season with dried basil, pepper, onion powder and celery salt. Mix well and set aside.
Arrange fillets in a single layer on the prepared pan. Broil a few inches from the heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the fillets over and broil for a couple more minutes. Remove the fillets from the oven and cover them with the Parmesan cheese mixture on the top side. Broil for 2 more minutes or until the topping is browned and fish flakes easily with a fork. Be careful not to over cook the fish.

Orem Unit *Guilty Pleasure Day*

This one is going to be SO much fun!

Don't miss it....you'll regret it!

Head over to the Orem Blog for details.

Cache Valley Unit *Guilty Pleasure Day*

{Click to Enlarge}This sounds like so much fun!

Make sure you RSVP to Chelsea as soon as possible.

I just might make a little trip and come up and join in the fun with you guys =)

See you next week!!

I'm taking off on a family vacation! Posts will resume sometime next week! Until then, browse through some old posts and re-visit some fun goals! Love you all =)

~Karyn

Thursday

Happy Mom Goal

Sit down with your favorite drink today, and sip it while chatting on the phone with a friend. It's nice to have a little break from reality once in a while!

Happy Kid Goal

I did this yesterday, and I forgot how cold the sprinkler can be! But if it's warm enough where you live, run through the sprinklers with your kids today. Don't just watch them do it....YOU do it too! Once you get over the initial shock of the temperature, it's really quite fun, hahahaha! And your kids will think you're the "funnest mom in the world!" (that's a direct quote from the mouth of my 3 year old!)

Happy Husband Goal

Make your husband a special drink tonight. I did a shirley temple (grenadine syrup, sprite, and a cherry garnish) but you can do whatever you want! Maybe add a fun snack too. (Spinach - artichoke dip is a fun one to do along side the drinks!)

Happy House Goal

Organize one closet today. Just one. It can even be a small one! Throw away as much as you can, keeping in mind the rule of thum: if you haven't used it in the last 6 months, throw it out!

Dinner Tonight

Sweet and Sour Chicken

This was a complete experiement, but I made this last night, and my family loved it!

2 large chicken breasts - cut into 2-3" pieces

1 bottle favorite sweet and sour sauce

batter for chicken:

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup cornstarch

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg

2/3 cup ice water

Yellow food coloring (optional)

Oil for deep frying

Sift together the dry ingredients.
Beat egg slightly and mix with the water and a few drops of the food coloring, if desired.
Add the dry ingredients. Stir only until mixed; mixture will be slightly lumpy.
Dip cut chicken into the batter and deep fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Heat sweet and sour sauce in the microwave and pour over chicken. Garnish with chunks of pineapple.

Serve with chicken fried rice (lipton has a quick and easy one that's pretty yummy!)