Recipe

So, I always love new recipes and this one proved to be delicious. I love all thing Pioneer Woman and this is a VERY easy recipe that I wanted to share. I made several changes since I was serving 2 (but ended up being 1) instead of 8 so see my changes in Red. Click on the link below to see the recipe step by step and also you can print it from her page!

Recipe: Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta
Ingredients
■4 whole Grilled Chicken Breasts, Sliced I used rotisserie chicken
■1 pound Penne Pasta, Cooked Until Al Dente I used only 1/2 lb
■½ sticks Butter I used about 2 Tablespoons
■3 whole Lemons, Juiced I used 1 and half lemons
■¾ cups Heavy Cream Didn't have heavy cream
■¼ cups Half-and-half
■1-½ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (or Romano)
■Salt And Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
■20 whole Basil Leaves, Chopped
Preparation Instructions
Cook pasta, reserving 1 cup of hot pasta water when you drain. Set pasta aside in a colander.

In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Squeeze in the juice of 3 to 4 lemons. Whisk together. Pour in cream and half-and-heat. Whisk until hot. Dump in cheese and whisk until melted. Add salt and pepper. Check consistency, adding some of the hot pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.

Pour pasta and sauce into a large serving bowl. Sprinkle remaining basil all over the top, then add sliced chicken breasts. Serve immediately!

I loved that this was easy and so delicious. Justin was out of town so I was really just cooking for me and Collier. I ended up eating two whole servings and still had left overs for lunch the next day. The lemon flavor with the pasta was just fabulous...I did feel like I needed something green, next time maybe some steamed broccoli on the side.

Now, the reason that it was ONLY me who ate. I know that this seems crazy but Collier still usually naps 3 times during the day - the last nap usually falls around 6pm-ish and depending on his after lunch nap time impacts if he takes that last nap of the day. So, Tuesday night we went to target after work and on the way home he was yawning and starting to get fussy. When we got home and unloaded our target goodies I went ahead and put him down - by now it was close to 6:30pm. The thing about these early evening naps is that they only last about 30 or 45 minutes...which is normally just enough time for me to get dinner started or done. I know it is crazy that he is still taking three naps but until he indicates that he doesn't need it I am going to continue, but like I said some days he doesn't need it some days he does. So back to Tuesday, I cooked dinner, ate dinner, blogged a little, switched over the laundry, put away all of my target purchases and looked at the clock to realize that it was now close to 8pm and Collier was still sound asleep. This has happened a few times before, but he slept until 6:45 the next morning. That is a power sleep! Since I thought he was only going down for a nap he was still in his clothes from the day, no dinner, no bath and no teeth brushing! Oh well, I think that he got caught up on some much needed sleep. I am just so thankful to have such a good sleeping child. Justin and I both are people who need our sleep and we're thankful that Collier does too! I prayed hard for a baby that sleeps well and I am thankful that God answered our prayer. Isn't it great to have a God who hears and answers all according to what He knows is best for us! That is amazing!

Lake and Work

We continue our summer long routine of living out of our suitcase...we went back to Compass lake last weekend. It ended up being Justin and me with Collier and Mom and Dad. It was SOOOO low key and relaxing. We spent some time swimming, relaxing, napping, eating juicy, yummy watermelon, boating and even painting. Yep that is painting. I wanted to try and paint something REALLY easy for my new work office and little did I know that I would spur the creative side of my husband brain. He joined in on the fun and painted an actual scene..I was very well impressed at his art skills. I on the other hand can hardly paint or draw a straight line much less anything else! Hopefully Collier will get some of his Daddy's artistic ability along with his smarts as well....we already know that he has gotten his good looks!

Back to our weekend. Having the lake house is really amazing and it lends itself to the wonderful opportunity of gathering friends and family for a wonderful time of making special and lifelong memories. I love being there and having wonderful people around and enjoying such an amazing place. I invited two different families to join us this past weekend and neither could make it....I hated that they couldn't but on the other hand it was quite a surprise of how easy and relaxing it was. I always think 'the more the merrier' and I still believe that but every now and then 'less is more' can also be very satisfying to the soul!









This is my second week back at ETG. I am really glad to be back, there is just a level of comfort being at ETG, it feels like a work family. For those of you who don't know what I am talking about. I was with ETG for four years before I left last November....but I am now back. Doing some of the same stuff and some new stuff, but I am just glad to be working for and with people that I respect and enjoy being around. I do miss being at home as much as I was and not seeing Justin as much although I think that he is glad to have his quite space back during the days! The other thing that I am VERY excited about is that I am only working a 4 day week! Which means that I will have a 3 day weekend and I am just THRILLED about that!


I'll be back to share a yummy recipe soon....I think I'm going to go and crawl in the bed, even though I have clothes that need to be folded and a dining room table that needs to be cleaned off - they will be there tomorrow for me to do....

McWane Center

Yesterday, we joined Bridges and Grace Ann at the McWane Center for our first visit ever! It was really a lot of fun (great for activities OUT of the heat). At first he was very overwhelmed and just stood staring at all of the kids running in circles around him. He warmed up and after a little while was off to the races with the rest...well in true Collier fashion. He loved the car to drive (stationary) and stayed in it for a long time. I think that he liked the freedom of walking around to the various things. He didn't care about Mr. Potato head but it is a very neat exhibit area. Also he LOVED the light-brite! He pulled those pegs out as fast as his little arms would move...which meant that I was having to move just as fast to put them back in! Too funny. After about an hour and half, he walked straight to the stroller and tried to climb in and I knew that he was fading fast. So we went and saw the aquarium area and then off to the "Just Mice Size" play area where he loved playing on a huge water table and then climbing through a fort! It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to do it again.

On a totally different note, I had some major job changes this week. I always feel like I change jobs every year and I HATE going through job searches - it is hard and frustrating process. I have been selling software for the past 7 months and enjoyed doing it. The company I worked for was a small business and there were several factors that resulted in a change in my pay. Due to those changes I needed to find something else and so I started putting my resume out and asking around. My boss from the job that I was at before this one, called me and asked if I would be interested in coming back. I had a few request that he agree'd to and so I've accepted. I'm gong back to ETG - I am very excited and looking forward to it. I loved working with them before and was very sad when I left (I left because they were doing away with the position I was in at that time) I was with them for four years when I left last year and I am hoping that this will last that long (or longer) again! I'll be doing various things but I am mostly glad to be back in that environment as well as only working fourdays instead of five. I have some feelings of failure, because I really did want to succeed in sales. When I was hired I was very clear that I didn't have any experience and needed guidance, training, mentoring and that just wasn't provided enough. I really enjoyed selling the product and love meeting with Physician's and Practice Managers, but in the end I guess it just wasn't where I am supposed to be. I know that there is some reason for everything and all works together for God's purpose! I am so excited about being back at ETG though! I start Monday!

Have a great weekend!

How To's with Collier

In case you needed direction of how to water your plants, yard or patio OR how to put out a fire OR how to ....play in the water on a HOT afternoon!





Also, the Collier way to eat Spaghetti Noodles! Yes, hair does add flavor and the oil from the noodles keeps your face from drying out! You should try it!


Every time I watch a video back, I am reminded that I should NOT talk when I have the video out. I sound so high pitched, I don't like to hear myself!

He's Back!

Thursday Mom and Dad returned Collier to us. We were so glad to have him back home, although I will admit that Justin and I enjoyed our time together and the slower pace that having no children provides. The house was very quite (almost too quite), but we were able to eat late, eat out with friends and even do a little exercising together. Since it was a little unexpected that he would stay with them, I felt a little guilty at first that they would have so much responsibility with him and that I would have none for a few days....but I ended up really enjoying the time with just Justin! On the other hand, Thursday afternoon couldn't come quick enough for me to get my hands and lips on that little monkey.

Our weekend was a little to short, why can't we have a full 3 day weekend every week? I think a work week should be Monday - Thursday to always give us a full weekend! Anyway... It was scorching hot all weekend which makes playing outside a little hard. Collier loves to be outside and doesn't care at all how hot it is or how many mosquitoes nipple at his sweet skin! I realized that we need more outside toys and activities (open for good suggestions from you experienced moms). We cooked out on Saturday night with some friends and were VERY lazy on Sunday! We did make it to the praise service last night and it was wonderful and Collier did good in the nursery -this was our first Sunday at church in several weeks since we have been out of town so much.

This week Collier figured out how to PULL little puppy dog....up 'till now we pull puppy dog and he will follow. But he is thrilled to have puppy dog follow him now. We are too!!!

Glad to have a relaxing weekend....nothing exciting but so very glad to be in town for a change!!

He found some beads and played with them for at least an hour! On and off.. on and off.. on and off! The simplest things can be so entertaining!

Hair Cut

This post is a little late, but I certainly wanted to be sure to post it. Last week (June 30th) we went and got Collier's first hair cut. It was getting out of control...as you could well tell from this post. It wasn't too bad, but it did need some shaping, so we went and did just that.
There is a really cute place here in Birmingham called Sweet and Sassy for children (especially little girls) that I thought that I would try, I will say that the ladies were not exactly as friendly and bubbly as I would have thought. But she did do a good job for his first hair cut. I didn't want it to look to big-boy and I love how it turned out. Collier on the other hand would rather have just had scraggly hair and not had some lady touching his ears. He was fine sitting in the chair until the lady touched his ear to trim around it....not a good idea...yet that was the area that needed trimming most. He started screaming and pushing her hands off of him. He got calmed downand then it was time for the other ear...more screaming, swatting and wiggly to get out of that chair. He did survive and I think that it looks really good and glad to have some shape, especially around his ears and the back....

after...much happier

all cleaned up and looking sharp

July 4th

This weekend brought another wonderful and fun weekend at Compass lake. Full of sunshine and fun. It certainly gets easier as Collier gets older and is interested in the lake. He is getting there and since he loves nothing more than being outside, it really is a perfect place to be. He is getting more and more comfortable around the water but not 100% there yet. He mostly loves to float in his float, usually kicked back with his feet propped up (just like his daddy likes to be). Although this trip he actually liked his feet through the holes and being able to feel the sand. He doesn't like to stand up without a float, even holding my hand, he just feels off balance and doesn't seem to like it too much! He loves boat rides and especially swinging on the front porch!

Our Newest Facial Expression

Justin put together one of Collier's birthday presents....a wagon! Oh boy, look out we may have a new favorite at the lake. This wagon is amazing - it can be a bench, wagon with seats and seat belts or just a flat wagon inside, includes an umbrella, sippie cup holder and even a cooler - it does everything except pull itself. He LOVES IT! Thank you Popoo and Nunny...As you can tell he and Ashlyn loved every minute of it. Dad even got in on the fun and made it even more exciting!

Even though the lawnmower is a little on the red-neck side it is much easier than pulling two children in the wagon up and down that stink'n hill a kazillion times.

How cute are they in their PJ's?