Cloth Napkins

One of my odd addictions is napkins for the table. I love to accent a table with cute cloth napkins. The problem is finding something I like, for a great price. Therefore, I went to the fabric store, picked out some fabric and made my own for $7. After making 12 napkins, I am pleased with the finished product and will definitely be making more of my own napkins.

MB2

Last Wednesday our friends, Annie and Kevin, invited us to MB2 for a little adult time! We met at our house and then headed to dinner. After dinner we were off to MB2, which is indoor go-cart racing. Annie and Kevin went last week and had a great time, so we thought we would all go together. To our surprise, the place was empty and we were pretty much the only ones there.

The first race was definitely a learning experience... Apparently, the blue flag means MOVE OVER! Sorry Anne:)  After completing the first race, my husband decided to crash into me in the second race and throw me under the bumpers! All in all, I am not the best racer, but had a great time. It was nice to get out and have some fun. With a few bruises this morning and a sore back, I am quickly reminded I'm not 21 anymore.

Wheat Fusilli Pasta

Ingredients

1/2 box Wheat Fusilli Pasta
1 cup homemade pesto
1/2 - 1 chopped eggplant
10 chopped cherry tomatoes
2 Italian sausages (removed from casing)
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
1 T chopped garlic
1/4 stick of butter
2 T olive oil
salt/pepper to taste


Boil water for pasta on the stove. While the water is boiling, cut up the eggplant into 1/4 inch slices and then cut the slices into quarters. Place them in the over on a cookie sheet and drizzle olive oil on top.  Boil on high for 5-7 min on each side (until golden brown).

Once the water boils, place pasta in the pot. Once cooked (approx. 8 minutes), drain and set aside. In the same pot, add butter and garlic. saute garlic for 5 min; stirring occasionally. Add Italian sausage and cook. While cooking, break up the sausage. (Just like you would be cooking ground beef) Once the sausage is cooked all the way through, add 1/4 cup of pesto, eggplant, chopped tomatoes and let sit on low for 5 min. Add pasta, remaining pesto, mozzarella and mix. Let it sit for 5 more min and then stir. Serve with Parmesan sprinkled over top.

Giada 8 Months

Giada is 8 months old today and I can’t believe how quickly time flies by! Her current schedule is great! She eats at 7, 11, 3 and 7. She naps from 9-11, 1-3 and 4:45-5:30. Bedtime is at 8:00 and she sleeps until 7:00 AM. This past month her personality and voice have made an appearance. Giada is extremely easy going, loves everyone and usually has a smile on her face. She is definitely a daddy's girl and obsessed with Drake and Coco. (They don’t always feel the same way.) Crawling is just around the corner. She can sit herself up and get around by rolling or scooting, but all she wants to do is get up and run. Giada is still a peanut and wearing size 2 diapers and 6 month clothes. On July 10th she had her first tooth break through on the bottom. We are blessed to have a healthy, loving and beautiful daughter!

Happy 8 months baby girl!

Getting a photo is quite the chore now!

Cousin Fun

Thursday through this morning our nephews have been staying with us. Giada was excited to have a little more entertainment in the house, other than boring old mom and dogs!

Thursday afternoon we made homemade pizza for dinner. James  wanted a cheese only pizza and John with olives. They turned out great! Friday, we played in the backyard, picked apples off our trees and James took at three hour nap! (Giada had to wake him up at 4:00) When Anthony came home from work, the boys headed out to the backyard again to help him mow the lawn. Shortly after, Kentyn showed up to play for a bit. We made cheese burgers for dinner and then it was off to bed. This morning, the boys played with Giada and packed up to head over to their other cousins’ house.

We had a great couple days with the cousins!

John admiring the dough rising.

Drake waiting for a crumb to drop.

Snacks since Uncle Anthony had to work late.

They had more fun chasing each other in the back yard while Anthony mowed the lawn.

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Ingredients

• 4 lbs red skinned potatoes
• 4 cloves fresh garlic
• ¼ cup butter
• 1 cup of sour cream
• ½ cup of milk or cream
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
• 10 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped or ½ cup of bacon bits (I did not have bacon and it still turned out tasty)
• Tablespoon of chile powder
• salt & pepper to taste

Toppings

• 2 slices of bacon, cooked & crumbled
• ½ cup cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Wash potatoes, peel off the skin, and chop into large chunks. Slice the cloves of garlic into 3 pieces each. Boil the potatoes and garlic in a large pot of water for about 15-20 minutes. (I should have cooked them a little longer, the potatoes we a little crunchy).
3. Drain potatoes & garlic and mash slightly with a potato masher. Add in remaining ingredients (except toppings) and mash.
4. Add toppings, bake for 25-30 at 375 degrees.

A casserole is great because you can make it ahead of time and place it in the fridge until you are ready to cook it.

Fourth of July

Since I was a baby, Lake Tahoe was the one summer vacation we would take as a family. With Giada celebrating her first 4th of July, it was fitting to be up in Tahoe. Thursday afternoon I headed north to meet Giada and my parents. (I had been baby free for five days) We loaded up the car and headed up the hill to stay at my aunt and uncle's condo on the South shore of Lake Tahoe. Giada was a trooper in the car, we only had to stop once for a bottle. Once arriving in Tahoe, we settled in, had a great dinner with my aunt, uncle, Mom and Dad, cousin and three kids.  A full house! To add to the family affair, the next day Anthony, my sister and boyfriend joined us. All weekend it was a continuum of musical beds as to who was sleeping where. Giada was extremely happy to see her dad and get some playtime. She didn't care where she slept.

The 4^th of  July definitely wasn't typical. There was unbelievable thunder and lightning  most of the day (building shattering!); however, we didn’t let this ruin the day! When it wasn’t raining, we headed to the beach and watched everyone play corn holes. That evening, my uncle had a wine and cheese tasting on the beach. Originally, it was supposed to be on the lawn area; however,  due to the rain we moved down under the pier. After wine tasting, we headed back to the condo for dinner and hung out until 9:45 then back to the beach.  We snuggled up in blankets in our chairs with wine glasses in hand anxiously awaiting for the fireworks. A full thrity minutes of music and fireworks to celebrate the freedom of our Country. 

Sunday and back to reality arrived quicker than any of us wanted with changing of the guards. Half of the group out and new cousins arrived. (Giada, Mom,  Dad and I got one extra night) 

We had a wonderful fourth of July weekend with family!

Dresser Upgrade

 Recently, our neighbor asked me to refinish this dresser for his daughter.

Below you will find the before and after.

Pesto Chicken Marinade and Corn Bites with Focaccia Bread

Pesto Chicken Marinade

½ - 1 Cup of homemade pesto

¼ cup rice vinegar

¼ olive oil

1 teaspoon sale

1 teaspoon sugar

Few drops of Worcestershire sauce and teriyaki sauce

Combine ingredients with 8 chicken thighs and marinade for 3 hours or up to 24 hours.

Grill Chicken on the barbeque. (I leave this part up to my husband!)

Corn Bites

3 ears of corn, husks and silks removed
2 tsp chile powder
zest of two limes (one if it's large)
1/4 stick of butter, melted
1 Tbsp mayonnaise
1 Tbsp sour cream
1 Tbsp lime juice
dash of salt

Break the ears of corn into thirds. Mix together the lime zest, chile powder, and paprika; set aside. In a separate bowl, mix together melted butter, mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and of salt. Grill on the barbeque for 15-20 min and turn the corn every few minutes. Brush on the butter mixture periodically.

Focaccia Bread

I bought the bread at the grocery store and added a little salt and olive oil to the bread. Heat in the oven for 10-15 min at 350 degrees. (As soon as it is golden brown, take out)