Today:

I resolve to eat better.  (No, that mini-oatmeal raisin cookie I had this morning does not count - Nate said I had to try it.  I was just being a good wife.)  I'm not trying to lose weight, just trying to prevent gaining more - plus, I'd like to feel a little better.  Eating habits are a good place to start for that.

Problem is, I resolved to do this last Monday, too - except I then proceeded to eat so many Frosted Flakes for breakfast that I had a sugar high, and ate about 741 chocolate covered raisins.  Fail.

Good news:  this week I'm out of Frosted Flakes and chocolate covered raisins.

Other goals involve only having one Coke every other day (I'm addicted, okay - this requires baby steps), sweets such as the Halloween candy can only be had once in a blue moon,  (anyone want some Halloween candy?) and fast food only once a week. 

High stakes, but I need to do this!  After all, the Holidays are right around the corner and I'd like to be able to enjoy them...by rewarding myself by eating whatever I want to!

My World.

My boys.  The best reason to wake up in the morning.  My comfort.  Happiness.  The leading cause of stress.  Buddies.  My heart.  The blue eyes of the family.  Wearers of camo.  Friends of the chocolate dog.   Family.  

Genuine hearts.  Future hunting team.  Smiles.  Unruly hair. 

Tears.  Fans of Backyardigans.  Creators of dirty laundry. 

Unconditional love.  God's children.  

Mine.

Dang Good Pork Chops

In my house we eat a lot of chicken and ground beef.  Like a lot.  It's quick and easy, so it usually wins out.  Yesterday, I remembered I had some thick pork chops in the freezer and decided to thaw them out and try something new.  Pork chops have always been more difficult for me to cook, just because they can be so dry and so not-flavorful. 

I searched online for a good slow cook recipe for tenderness, combined a couple of them, and voila!  I actually made good pork chops, and I wanted to share.  It's SO easy, and a crockpot is involved.  Win-win.

Dang Good Pork Chops:

Serves: 2

2 bone-in thick cut pork chops

1 packet of onion soup mix

1 cup of chicken broth

1/4 cup of apple juice

salt, pepper

Lawry's seasoning salt

Brown pork chops on both sides with salt, pepper and Lawry's.  In separate bowl, combine onion soup mix and chicken broth.  Place pork chops in crock pot (I used my really small one so that the juice could cover as much of the chop as possible) and pour the onion/broth mixture over it.  Then pour in about 1/4 cup of apple juice.  Cook on low for 5 hours.  I turned them over and flipped them around every once in a while to make sure maximum juice absorption was happening equally.     

Delicious!  And so tender!  I served it over some Jambalaya Wild Rice, but also think it would be awesome with some mashed potatoes!

I miss blogging.  It's true, I do.  Well, to be truthful, I miss writing and giving people the option to follow and read it or not.  Is that the definition of blogging?  I think I'm a good writer (well, decent) and I communicate much better on paper, because there I can formulate my thoughts ahead of time and actually be witty, and possibly even make a good point now and then.  In real life, I think of something funny about 10 minutes after "the moment" has passed.  And though I spend literally hours in the car per week thinking of what to write about (weird, I know), when I sit down at the computer, nothing comes.  All those clever ideas?  Gone.  Little quips?  Out the window.

I think my problem is just getting going.  That first post after my five month hiatus.  I figure, the best way to get over this hump is just to give a general update.  Then my random thoughts, pictures and ideas will pour out?  One can only hope.  Here's a list:

1.  My baby boy is about to be 9 months old (Wednesday).  Nuts, I know.  He's standing up by himself and trying to walk already.  Bless him.  He's also in the 95 percentile on everything.  Who knew I'd birth a giant?  Love, love this kid. 

2.  Sometimes you wonder if you've done the right thing in life.  Right?  Saturday night I was up with said sweet boy above at 1:25a.m.  It dawned on me that while I soothed my teething baby, my friends were out drinking with sexy costumes on while I sat in a rocking chair half asleep.  Then I realized...there is no way in the world I would trade places.  (Don't get me wrong, I would have fun if I went with them - that's not the point.)  This is where I'm supposed to be.  Here with my boys (and chocolate dog).  It was just that little confirmation you get every once in a while that you might be on the right track.

3.  I'm still making cakes.  Just finished my 3rd wedding cake this past weekend!  I also have slacked off on my cake blog.  If I'm feeling super ambitious, I'll update it tonight after Little Man goes night-night.  Don't hold your breath though.  This is a pic of the second I've done.

4.  I'm part-time paralegal, full-time Mommy, and part-time cake maker.  It makes for one busy woman.  Oh, and a wife, and friend, and daughter, and sister, and time management is important.

5.  I'm ready for the Holidays.  I usually get mad at Christmas music the day after Halloween, but you know what - being a mother has taught me a valuable lesson in appreciating and embracing every day.  No use in avoiding happiness.  Plus, I get to be Santa Clause this year! 

6.  I went to New York a couple weekends ago.  Mark that one off the bucket list!  I'll post more on that adventure later.

7.  I'm liking the way this writing thing is feeling...I'll be back y'all!