I'm on a Boat

We finally took Sterling on his first boat ride this weekend! He really loved it and didn't even cry once. This made his daddy very happy because he is boat obsessed and was worried about his son not loving boats as much as he does. We had a lovely afternoon cruising around. This time of the year is just gorgeous here!

Matt's pride and joy, his boat, AKA "peanut". Sometimes I think he loves this boat more than us:)

Matt's requirement to take the boat out, fried chicken and Bud Light. I did manage to sneak some LaCrema for me (it's hidden in the Perrier bottle, the captain prefers no glass bottles on his boat)!

Loving his first boat ride!

our self portrait

Cuddling with my little man- it was quite chilly out on the water!

Helping daddy drive the boat

Trying to get a smile out of my little man, useless when the camera comes out. Normally he is so smiley but once he sees the camera, he is all Mr. Serious.

Monogram Obsession

I love, love, love a monogrammed outfit on a baby! While I was pregnant, I had so much stuff monogrammed that Matt said he was scared I was going to monogram the baby when he came out. If we have another boy, I am seriously considering choosing a name with the same initials so we can reuse all of the stuff I monogrammed for Sterling. I couldn't resist sharing these sweet pictures of my little man in his monogrammed outfit yesterday. I mean how cute is the royal blue corduroy jumper with the red monogram:)
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Roasted Carrot and Ginger Soup

I love making homemade soups. They are usually pretty easy and healthy. This recipe comes from one of my favorite cookbooks (I have mentioned it before) The Comfort Table by Katie Lee Joel. At first the hubby sneered at this so-called carrot soup, but after he tasted it, he was sold. This soup is rich and creamy. The combination of carrots and fresh ginger is out of this world good!

ROASTED CARROT AND GINGER SOUP

- 1.5 LBS CARROTS CUT INTO LARGE DICE (ABOUT 4 CUPS)
- 2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL
- 1 TABLESPOON UNSALTED BUTTER
- 1 MEDIUM YELLOW ONION DICED
- 1 TABLESPOON FINELY MINCED FRESH GINGER
- 2 BAY LEAVES
- 1 QUART CHICKEN BROTH
- 1 TABLESPOON FRESH LEMON JUICE
- 1 TABLESPOON WORCESTERSHIRE
- 1/2 CUP PLAIN YOGURT
- MINCED FLAT LEAF PARSLEY

PREHEAT OVEN TO 400 DEGREES AND LINE A BAKING SHEET WITH PARCHMENT PAPER. TOSS THE CARROTS WITH 1 TBLS OLIVE, SALT AND PEPPER AND SPREAD IN SINGLE LAYER ON BAKING SHEET. ROAST UNTIL FORK TENDER ABOUT 20 MINUTES.

MEANWHILE IN A DUTCH OVEN OR STOCKPOT, HEAT THE REMAINING OLIVE OIL AND BUTTER OVER MEDIUM HIGH HEAT. SAUTE THE ONIONS, GINGER AND BAY LEAVES UNTIL THE ONIONS ARE TRANSPARENT, ABOUT 5 MINUTES. ADD THE CHICKEN BROTH, LEMON JUICE, WORCESTERSHIRE, 1/2 TEASPOON SALT AND 1/2 TEASPOON PEPPER, AND BRING TO A LOW BOIL. ADD THE CARROTS, REDUCE TO A SIMMER AND COOK ABOUT 10 MINUTES. REMOVE THE BAY LEAVES. USE AN IMMERSION BLENDER OR TRANSFER IN BATCHES TO A BLENDER AND BLEND UNTIL CREAMY. ADD THE YOGURT AND BLEND TO COMBINE. SERVE GARNISHED WITH FRESH PARSLEY.

Master Bedroom Update

I am in the (long) process of updating our master bedroom and making some changes. I have do it in stages because it is too darn expensive to buy everything at once. Now that I am a stay at home mommy, we don't have quite the money flow that we used to. My sister gave me a zebra rug that she had bought for her house, but that didn't work in the space. I don't know about you but I love zebra! I immediately brought it home and put it in our bedroom and I love it. It is amazing how one new piece can make a room seem so fresh and new. Next on my list recovering the yellow chair, some new artwork, and I would really love an upholstered headboard.

Blog Love and Cheesy Green Chile Taco Pie

As you all know I love cooking! I just found a new cooking blog that I had to share. It is Kitchen Belleicious. Jessica is a sweet southern girl, stay at home mom to a baby boy, and an avid cook! We have alot in common, so I knew I would like her blog! She also has a second blog she just started called Belleicious Kids. It features kid friendly recipes for all you mommies. She is currently trying to win the Pink Bake for the Cure Baking prize, so stop by her blog and leave a comment to help her out!

Last week I made her recipe for her Cheesy Green Chile Taco Pie and it was amazing! My husband and I loved it! You know I love a Mexican meal and this one did not disappoint! The homemade green chile cornbread bottom mixed with the flavors of the beef and veggies was insane! I highly recommend you try this recipe!!



Print this Recipe HERE

8 Months and Pumpkins

This weekend we went home to Charlotte because my poor mom broke her arm and had to have surgery. I thought a little visit from her grandson might cheer her up. While we were home Sterling turned 8 months old. I can't believe how fast this year is flying by! I love this age so much! We have finally mastering sitting up and I am certain crawling is soon to come as my baby boy is very antsy now.

While we were in Charlotte we went with my sister to pick out pumpkins for her front porch and couldn't resist the obligatory pumpkin photo op.



We then tried to recreate our own photo shoot with the pumpkins we bought but somebody was tired and not enjoying all the photos we were taking. I couldn't get him to smile for anything or even look at the camera! Oh well, maybe the hubs and I will take him to the pumpkin patch this weekend, since he didn't get to join us in Charlotte.

Am I a Cougar?

Today at Chick Fila the guy ringing me up called me 'mam'. I appreciate his politeness, but I mean really, do I look like a 'mam'? I was at the drive thru too, so he couldn't even see that I had a baby in the back. It made me feel very old.

I also have a huge crush on Zac Efron, which is probably wrong because I am almost old enough to be his mom. Well, techically I would have had to had him when I was 10 or 11, but he is still way young. And if you are wondering, yes I did go see 17 Again in the theater just to see him on the big screen. So does that make me cougar? If loving Zac Efron is wrong, I don't want to be right. But don't worry I will never be one of those moms wearing a Zac Efron t-shirt waiting outside the studio to try and catch a glimpse of him. I'm way too cool for that. I will however continue to talk about how young and hot he is to my hubby just to keep him on his toes.

PHOTO: WWW.TOPNEWS.IN

Only saving grace today is I was carded while buying wine- thank god! Someone doesn't think I am a 'mam'! Someone in fact thinks I look 21 or just didn't want to get fired for not asking for id:)