My Martha Stewart-esque Post

So it's February, and a little over a month ago we all made our New Year's resolutions. If you didn't, kudos to you. You must have figured you'd forget about them anyway, so why even try? A valid point. Well I wrote mine down, just like everything else in my head. (I swear, when I die I'll be MORTIFIED when everyone finds and reads my old journals, blog entries and loose pages of absolutely pointless rhetoric.) I jotted down a few personal goals and things I'd like to attempt this year. I find that if I can get it on paper, it's more likely that I'll actually accomplish it.

Resolution #1- Stop cooking crap!

One simple goal was to cook edible food that doesn't come out of a box. No kidding, people. It's no secret that I'm not exactly a culinary genius. I think it has something to do with my lack of patience. I'm not a fan of standing around and chopping up stuff, and then waiting for it to simmer. My ADD kicks in and I try to hurry things along which makes for big chunks of food instead of diced pieces, and luke warm sauces that didn't have a chance to boil. But I know it's unhealthy to eat so much processed junk, so I've made it a priority to learn some new recipes and incorporate more fresh foods. I'll just have to work on the whole patience thing along the way.

So I found a magazine at the grocery store with recipes that I've tried out, and they've ALL turned out delicious. Below is the recipe for a Cheeseburger Pasta. It is SO good. Wes loves it, and I know he's being honest because he goes back for seconds instead of lying and saying, "Oh wow! I'm so full. I just can't eat anymore," like he usually does. I wish I could say that Taylor liked it, but she's just picky and doesn't like anything that isn't a gold fish cracker or chicken nuggets. This has all the ingredients of a cheeseburger, just without the bun and mixed in with noodles.

You'll need:

1 lb hamburger

4 tbs. ketchup

4 tbs. mustard

4 tbs. relish

1 small can of diced tomatoes with onion

2 cups penne pasta (or any small pasta will do)

1 bunch of green onions

1 cup of cheese

First you brown the hamburger and boil the pasta while you're waiting. Once the hamburger is browned, drain it, and mix in the noodles. Put in the can of diced tomatoes, the ketchup, mustard, relish. Mix it all together, then finally add the cheese and top it off with the green onions. Super easy, but really good and it'll feed a family of 6.

Resolution #2- Get organized

I love that while I'm writing this, I'm realizing that I haven't even attempted this one yet. I have craft supplies, pictures, and preschool items that NEED to be organized! In Parents magazine this month it had some cool ideas on organization and what to do with broken, old toys so I'm sharing what I've learned with you folks in case someone else out there in Blogland is as disheveled as I am.

A cool way to make stamps with old blocks.

I love this one. Use old stuffed animals as book ends by taking out the stuffing and filling them with sand.

Using an old, broken jack in the box as a tissue box.

And this one is a must. Using big rubber bands around cups to remember which cup belongs to who.

I'm planning on posting more updates on my resolutions, or at least the ones I accomplish. I figure it'll keep me accountable. Please comment if you have any recipes you'd like to pass my way (they have to be easy), or any cool ideas on organization.

Below are totally unrelated pictures of Valentine's Day (which was lovely), and our surprise Disneyland trip.


Taylor is constantly getting next to Corinne and saying, "Cheese!" with that strained, 3 year-old smile that I love. She's such a great sister lately.
Everyone loves a Valentine cookie.

Our co-op preschool Valentine's party.


Tay's heart wreath.

Showing off her new gymnastics outfit from Nana.

Ready to meet the fairy "Rosetta." It was her equivalent of meeting a rock star. She was SO excited! It was worth the long line to see her face.
Love the sun shining down on Nana.
Could just eat her up, she's so flippin' cute.

She's spotted Tinker Bell off in the distance. Another rock star.
SO happy after a slight afternoon melt down and stimulation overload.

Awesome balloon hat

Corinne playing the drums on Daddy's head.

Tay and "Rosetta." She was totally star struck, and I had to pry her away after her turn was over so the next little girl could get a turn.