This is what I came home too a few Saturdays ago. Really? Apparently someone was bringing clothes downstairs but they ended up in the living on my chair?! Do you dare ask how long they sat there? Yup until the next day!

I really can't complain my husband works hard and puts in a lot of hours at work. He tucks the kids in every night for bedtime and he helps around the house a ton. Yes, project do take a few months to complete around here.

Its just every once in awhile this is what happens. I have to chuckle to myself.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

Someone in my house loves loves BBQ chicken pizza. He discovered it at one of our favorite restaurants. So of course I had to try and make it at home. My sister made one and followed the King Arthur recipe. If you know me I do not make any type of homemade crusts.
Pillsbury saved me again! I would like to find a whole wheat crust - maybe Trader Joe's?
I looked at the King Arthur recipe and just adapted my own.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

3 chicken breasts cut up
Homemade BBQ sauce or you can use bottled
Half red onion cut up
Cilantro
Mozzarella Cheese
Pillsbury Pizza Crust

I sauteed the chicken in some olive oil and added the red onion. Season with salt and pepper. I added about 1/2 cup my homemade BBQ sauce to the chicken.
Lightly grease a pan, spread out the dough. Spread BBQ sauce over the dough, add the chicken mixture over that, cilantro and cheese. Bake according to package.
Enjoy!!

Thai Chicken with Pineapple

I found this tasty recipe on Gina's Skinny Recipes. We all loved it! It was easy to make, flavorful and healthy! I could not find Pineapple chili dipping sauce. So i just reserved some of the pineapple juice and mixed it with garlic chili sauce. I served it with brown rice and sesame green beans!

Thai Chicken with Pineapples

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tbsp Thai Kitchen fish sauce
2 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp oil, divided
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp minced ginger
2 cups cubed assorted colors bell peppers (1/2-inch cubes)
1 red chili pepper, chopped (optional or to taste)
1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
1/2 cup Thai Kitchen Pineapple & Chili dipping sauce
cilantro leaves (for garnish)

Directions:

Mix chicken and fish sauce in medium bowl. Add cornstarch; toss to evenly coat. Set aside.

Heat 1/2 tablespoon of the oil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add garlic and
ginger; stir fry 30 seconds. Add bell peppers, chili pepper if using and pineapple; stir fry 3 to 5 minutes or until peppers are tender-crisp. Add sauce; cook and stir until heated through. Remove from skillet.

Heat remaining oil in the skillet. Add chicken; stir fry 5 minutes or until cooked through. Return bell pepper mixture to skillet; stir fry until well blended. Garnish with cilantro.

Adapted from Ginas Recipes

Happy 16th Anniversary Ron!!! I love you with all my heart!

Cabin and Cousins

My kids are so lucky to have both sides of their cousins close to home. This past week the kids went up to the cabin with their cousins on Ron's side of the family. We went up on Saturday, Ron and I left Sunday. The kids stayed there with their grandparents through Wed!
This is the first time I have let Mira stay there without us. I was a little nervous leaving her for a few days, Well this mama had nothing to worry about it.
Of course the kids had a blast - no structure, basically ate what they wanted,staying up until midnight, I'm sure they didn't brush their teeth everyday! Tyler came home with the same outfit he wore to the cabin!
Sometimes you just got to let go!

I took a few pictures of the cousins on Saturday:

Low Fat Pina Colada Cupcakes

TASTY!!!


I came across this recipe on Gina's Skinny blog which I just LOVEEEEEE!!! All i can really say about these cupcakes are YUMMY!!! If you can make them today please do!

Cupcakes:
18.25 oz box yellow cake mix (I used Betty Crocker Super Moist)
20 oz can crushed pineapple in juice (do not drain)

Mix together with a hand mixer, fill a cupcake liner 2/3 c full. Bake according to the box directions.

Pineapple Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz Philadelphia 1/3 less fat cream cheese
20 oz can crushed pineapple in pineapple juice, completely drained of any liquid
1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
1/4 cup sugar

Combine cream cheese, crushed pineapple, sugar and coconut flakes in a medium bowl and mix with a hand mixer until combined well. Spread on cooled cupcakes and refrigerate until ready to eat.
Piña Colada Cupcakes

Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 24 • Serving Size: 1 cupcake no frosting • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 3 pts
Calories: 93.5 • Fat: 0.8 g • Protein: 0.5 g • Carb: 20.9 g • Fiber: 0.2 g • Sugar: 12.2 g

Servings: 24 • Serving Size: 1 cupcake w/ frosting • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 4 pts
Calories: 153.5 • Fat: 4.1 g • Protein: 1.2 g • Carb: 27.2 g • Fiber: 1.3 g • Sugar: 16.5g


Source: Ginas Skinny Recipes

In June our dear friends the Newbys who live in Virginia came for a visit. We went there two years ago and spent a week with them.
Let me give you a little history on this friendship.
I met Mel and Marilee about 15 years ago working at a juvenile shelter. We were in our early 20's managing a group of court appointed teens. FUN TIMES!!!
These girls are my girls! We have been through a lot together in 15 years - crazy nights, laughing, tears and more tears, more laughing, weddings, babies, 30th bday in Cancun, moving across country.
No matter where we are in life I hold them both very dear to my heart!
Here we are 15 years later married ( I was newly married when I met the ladies) and six kids between the three of us! FUN TIMES!!!

The kiddos eating dinner:




Mira and Shay Shay:


Mel was the girls model - she looks so purdy!



Mar's house:












MOA:










After the MOA we went to Buca - Buca gets it own post. I will explain later.... hehehe