Mama Heather's Pizzaria

I got the idea from Pioneer Woman Cooks to make a delicious, fresh and wonderful basil, fresh tomato and fresh delicious mozzarella pizza. It was fresh and wonderful. And delicious. It was pretty much the best idea I've ever had. Even though it was actually someone else's idea. No matter whose idea it was, it was fresh, delicious and wonderful.

I went ahead browned up some ground beef and onions, in addition to the ever popular pepperoni. If anyone ever thought that homemade pizza wasn't as good as delivery pizza...they are oh so wrong. This was about the best pizza ever.

I made two batches of dough so we could each decorate our own. Mine consisted of half fresh, wonderful and delicious basil, tomato and mozzarella and half pepperoni, beef, mushroom, and green olive. The basil was from my garden. It's the only herb I decided to grow this year. Don't laugh at my little bitty leaves.

Come on, doesn't that look gooooooood?! I even doused the dough with olive oil. Not too sure if it did anything.

Josh's had "the meats", green pepper, onion and mushrooms. Looking back, I should have worked on the form of that dough better. It's pretty wonky.

Yeah...speaking of wonky - somethings wrong with the poor child in that picture. We get real excited about pizza in this house. That and Rock Band.

P.S. In all my excitedness, I forgot to put cheese on my meat half. Doh!

Around the Exersaucer

Time to Smell the Flowers

Yea! We got our camera back! I feel back to normal! I bet Joseph does too. You know, it might damage a child's self perception when someone isn't doting and taking pictures every second of the day.
See? Look at that smile! He's says "Oh camera, I love you. Where have you been?!" Actually the blog was very happy too..."Where oh where has my little boy been? It's been weeks!"

This is Joseph's new look. Like back in the day when people wore overalls with only one strap hooked, or one pant leg pulled up, or their visor upside down and sideways. He likes to keep it real.

So this morning we took time to smell the flowers. Never mind they were plastic and didn't really smell. Joseph doesn't discriminate.

Uh oh, I'm sensing some Joseph crazy eyes...

There they are! "Hey everyone, I'm Joseph crazy eyes...gimme some candy!"

"But right after I finish smelling up this flower." We hope everyone is having a great day! Hugs and kisses and puppy dog tails to you!

Pork Chops Stuffed with Smoked Gouda and Bacon

You will need:

• 2 ounces smoked Gouda cheese, shredded
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 (2 1/4 inch thick) center-cut, bone-in pork chops
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• ground black pepper

Directions:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat.
• In a small bowl, combine the cheese, bacon, parsley, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.
• Lay the chop flat on cutting board, and with a sharp knife held parallel to the board, cut a pocket into the pork, going all the way to the bone, but leaving the sides intact. Stuff cheese mixture into pocket, and close with a wooden toothpick. Brush meat with oil, and season with salt and more black pepper.
• Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill over medium heat for 5 to 8 minutes on each side, or until pork is done. Careful not to overcook!

That's it! Easy peasy! My chops weren't as thick as the recipe calls for but they worked fine. I would try for thicker next time though. And I crumbled the cheese instead of shredding it - that was easier.

I say "By far the tastiest pork chop ever. I love bacon! I love two pork products in the same meal! I will definitely make this again."
Josh says "The best pork chop I've ever had. I wish it was bigger."
Joseph says "I've got teeth, gimme some!"

Dear Diary

I am wondering more and more these days when I am going to stop pumping milk for Joseph. It's the least convenient thing I could possibly be doing. Not much is convenient with an eight month old running around, but especially this. I am afraid that once I stop I will feel guilty, though. I already do just thinking about it. And since I've gone this long, couldn't I just make it a few more months until he turns one? A lot easier said than done. Plus I really really want my boobs to be "normal" again.
__________

Joseph had a rough couple of nights this week. I wonder what's up with that. Teeth? Upset tummy? Last night I couldn't get him to go back to sleep but he was in a good mood so he played in his crib. It was hard to fall back asleep though since I was listening for him out of the corner of my ear. Once when I went back to bed after rocking him Josh said "I almost fell out of bed." I said "You did?" and he said "I love you." I am guessing that he was asleep and I am also guessing that he didn't really almost fall out of bed. Although that would have been really funny. And not the first time.
__________

I love my girlfriends so much and I hate it that I can't get out more often. It may not seem that hard, but after coordinating nap time, shower time, and pumping (see? there it is getting in the way...) it's hard to meet up with my gal pals. I need my girlfriends though! Every gal needs that sisterly, womanly, female, know-where-you're-coming-from kind of bond. I got to Kelly's today but right as Alicia was leaving. Still I got to visit with Jen and Kel for awhile and it was really nice to get out of the house. Damn the heat...otherwise I could at least get out around the yard and neighborhood. But with 96 plus heat index you just can't take a little one out and actually have fun. So I jumped at the opportunity to see friends. This is one of my first stir crazy phases since staying home with Joseph and I have found myself really yearning for some other adult contact throughout the day.
__________

I've been cooking a lot of really delicious dinners lately and I keep kicking myself for forgetting to post some great recipies. Like the pork chop stuffed with bacon, smoked gouda and parsley. And gingery shrimp and couscous. And a salsbury steak-y hamburger patty with gravy and sauteed mush's and onions. My first sucessful gravy! Very proud! Usually I just use a packet or if I make it homemade it just doesn't taste so great. Oh and a new favorite is pecan crusted chicken. Easy and sooooo good! Lastly, you've got to try this roasted red pepper soup with homemade croutons. I had it at Summer's house and it was so good I made it for Josh and I a couple of nights ago. Yummm! Now, I have to insist you cook these to experience all the joy they have brought me - and to enhance your culinary repitoire! Not that it's lacking - but who doesn't love a good recipe?! Tonight we had pork chops with chimichurri sauce, wild rice and asparagus. It's not as good as Gloria's chimichurri but it was ok. Tomorrow my pee will stink like asparagus...
_________

Goodnight Diary, I think I'll go have some chocolate ice cream now. And maybe clean the kitchen. Maybe. We'll see...

P.S. I need to get back to knitting. I haven't picked up my needles in MONTHS. Oh no! Hold me to it.

Rock Band

For those of you who know of Rock Band, yes, we've gone and got ourselves one. For those of you who don't know Rock Band let me explain. It's only the greatest video game ever! Actually, I'm no expert because aside from Super Mario Brothers and an occasional Mario Cart, I don't play video games. So who am I to judge?! But personally I have found Rock Band to be a lot of fun.

This game has drums, a microphone, and a guitar and the goal is to bang/sing/strum the correct note as it appears on screen. These aren't the real instruments though, just video game simulators. Singing might be my favorite - although by NO means am I a singer. I just like to hear my voice all amplified ringing throughout the house. There is also a "crowd" who either boos or cheers you on and if you get boo'd too much the game is over! Ha! It's funny stuff. Especially if you are really bad. Then I just get the giggles so bad listening to how horrible it all is that I really can't play well.

We went to Josh's friend's house from work a couple of weekends ago and they had a massive, 40-some odd people tournament. It was really fun and really embarrassing! So we were hooked and bought the game just a few days later. This weekend we will be holding our own marathon so I am getting my finger exercises in now. I don't need any fingers cramping up on me and messing up my game. Don't mess with me, buddy. Booyah!

What Do These Two Gems Have In Common?

They both belong to Kayla! Cousin Kayla is getting hitched, ya'll! I am so happy for Bobby and Kayla and I know they will live happily ever after!

Top ten reasons why I like being married:

1. I get to say "my husband", which feels nice.
2. I get to officially override his decisions.
3. I love to cook for us.
   
4. I get to have babies.
5. I get to have my very own family.
6. I don't have to date anymore.
7. I get to live with my favorite person.
8. I get to torture him with my toots.
9. I get to let myself go...lol, just teasing...kinda.
   
10. Spiritual completion.

Congratulations you crazy kids! We love you!

All Kinds of Stuff Here...

I've got an update on my family tree. 164 people!! I've traced the Pankratz (mom's dad) side to Germany and O'Brien (dad's dad) side to Ireland. I never knew when my Irish ancestors came over but now I know it was the mid 1800's. It was about the same time for the German part of the fam too. This is just too much fun. And man alive, everyone had about umpteen dozen kids, too. No birth control and lots of farm land that needed hands. I've actually become so intrigued by this part of the family that I haven't even finished filling in my first cousins and their families.

In other news, Shannon is ENGAGED! My best friend from high school is going to tie the knot. I love this girl so much I just don't even know what to do with myself. When she called and told me I screamed so much that Joseph started crying and I had to whisper-scream because I wasn't done yet. Jamie and her and dated for years and years...let's see, something like 9 years. They started dating right around the time Josh and I did - but we beat them to the marriage biz. Her phone call wasn't all good news though. Oh man oh man oh man - this next part of the story isn't for the faint of heart. She went on vacation to Belize with three other girls. They were staying on a little island just off the coast in the only hotel on the island. A lunatic broke into their room in the middle of the night and attempted to sexually assault one of the girls. Shannon was sharing a bed in the next bedroom and woke up when she heard screaming. This guy was on drugs or not right in the head - or both - and wouldn't leave! I would think most intruders would run away at this point but instead a big struggle ensued (four girls against one guy) and Shannon ended up getting punched in the mouth. It dislodged one of her teeth and fractured two others. Man. So this goes on for awhile (meanwhile the podunk police on the island still aren't there) NO ONE except for an American woman (30-ish, from Houston of all places!) comes to help because they are screaming. They get him out the door and he is STILL trying to get back in, pushing against them bracing the door, so he breaks through a window. Shannon pushed the couch on it's end and blocked the window and the guy finally wanders off. BUT he comes back and is now fighting with the woman who had come to help them outside the room. The girls were too scared to come out. Finally the police show up and tell them they have to go down to the station but they won't give them a ride! They girls walk down there after having just been assaulted and start to file a report - but Shannon said it was so backwards that they gave up and left. The police didn't seem to care, could hardly read or write, and were hitting on one of the girls. Yes, after she was just attacked. Of course they went back and packed up and caught the first ferry back to the main land and went to the airport to get the heck outta there. Shannon saw a dentist and will probably have to have a root canal - but is recovering. What a mess. That gal is a little fire ball, but no one wants to go through that. Hell, I didn't even like hearing it or writing it much less actually experiencing it. Thank god he didn't have a weapon.

On a lighter note...
How do I get everyone out of the funk from that story?! Joseph of course. He is our little traveling man. Rambling man. Man on a mission. The mission is to find every electrical cord, every sharp corner, every heavy object, and every bug or speck of dirt...and play with it. Just yesterday I left the baby monitor cord hanging down off the cabinet and he pulled it right down. Luckily it crashed on the floor and not his little head! Lesson learned...get it together mom. I know better but sometimes it's just too early in the morning for this mess. Any second hand cages out there for sale?! Still if anyone wants to see a little beam of sunshine straight from heaven then I've got it for you right here. That is one fun baby!

Our camera is in the shop!!! What ever will I do!? We borrowed Edie's but I don't have the cord to transfer pics to the computer. Give me a week or so and we should be operational. :)

Big post today! I hope you have a good weekend - we're getting some good cleaning done at our house today. Josh's favorite! Ha! ;)

The Family Tree

I've decided to trace back our family trees. Dad and Shannon have always been into the genealogy of our family but I don't actually have it recorded for my own. I got online just to see if I could find some good tips and examples of different layouts, like combination trees (starting with me and Josh in the middle and showing both of our families), single family trees, and I also wondered about things like how many generations back I should go. That is pretty subjective but I still thought I could get some good ideas from samples online. Comment if you have any thoughts!

I found ancestry.com and thought I'd give it a try. I want to get it in a scrapbook, but for now I can document it all there online. My dad has so much information on my grandma's side that I know that side of the family is covered. And there has been a ton of research on my mom's dad's side (even published in a book called A Hundred Years of Comfort in Texas). The blank spots are my mom's mom, dad's dad, and Josh's side. That will be my project for the next couple of weeks - or months - which ever Joseph decides the case may be!

I'm very excited! Tracing ancestry is just so neat and will be great to have for our babies. I've found the website to be a little confusing but so far I've got around 109 people entered in! There is a feature that can track someone's historical records (birth records, census, etc.) and also can search the database of public family trees that other people have made on the website, and match it to mine to help fill in any blanks I have. It's awesome!

Once I'm done I (and anyone) can purchase posters or a family history book which I think I'd like to do. Well see how comprehensive it all is. I'm going on a picture hunt also and I can't wait to get some pictures scanned in.

So that's my weekend! I am addicted. As you can tell with my 100 people...that's a lot! Wish me luck!

Yellow Rose of Texas

Lookie what I got! Josh brought these home to me the other day and I jokingly said "what did you do?" He said "nothing yet!" Ha - stockpiling brownie points! I guess that never hurt anyone...and I got some beautiful deep yellow roses out of it.

I love arranging flowers. I love how you can make them all sorts of different shapes, like this one here is a nice dome. I love how you can add in fun things like my never ending wedding pears on floral sticks, or once I added baby cabbage from the floral department. I am a big advocate of adding fruits and vegetables to flower arrangements. There is a book that I'd like to get about this subject and in it she makes one with flowers and celery - with the leafy top part. Talk about fun! And strangely elegant, too.

My little baby is waking up so I better get going...but first...I've got to tell you this most random fact that I was thinking about this morning. In all the places I've ever lived, my door has faced south. That is kinda freaky to me. I wonder what would happen if I ever moved to a home on the south side of the street? I think it might tip the scales and my world might turn upside down. Or maybe everything would be just fine. I'm not sure I want to find out! So there is your random fact for Wednesday, July 9. Enjoy your day!!

Scooter McGoo

Joseph is having so much fun getting around the house these days. His knees are only a little bit chapped! I know we are only moments away from a crawling baby! He gets on his hands and knees all the time and has "stepped" a couple of times before falling over. And not only that, but we also have more teeth coming in. Growing up is so exciting!

Too Many Sunggles

Man, I just hate snuggles. I really can't stand it when my sour pickle baby falls asleep in my arms. Who needs a sweet little baby to cuddle with anyway? Who likes sweet little baby breath on their neck? Not me, that's for sure. And cute little feet all curled together? Ugh. And sleepy whimpers and sighs? I don't need it. Please, someone save me. I can't stand it any longer!

Dump Cake

You will need:

• a cake pan (Your guess is as good as mine on the size. You know, a cake pan size...)(p.s. - how about 9x13?)
• 1 stick and 1/2 of butter (Or more - I see recipes for 2 sticks, but you'll be regretting it if you go less. We're NOT going healthy here folks.)
• 1 can of cherry pie filling
• 1 can of crushed pineapple
• 1 box of yellow cake mix
• maybe some nuts
• maybe some coconut

Dump pineapple and juice into cake pan. Then dump in cherries. Then dump on dry cake mix. Then dump on some walnuts or coconut. Then dump on melted or pats of butter, depending on if you are feeling melty or patty. Dump it in the oven and bake at 350 for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Whoa baby. This cake could quite possible change your life.

Love,

Mama Heather

Picture courtesy of www.cookingforslackers.com.

Our Water Baby

Joseph was so excited to go swimming for the first time that when I told him he said "Whaaa?! Really?!" and made this great face! Then he said "Thank goodness ma, cause it's hot!"

He pretty much LOVED it! He splashed and laughed like an old pro.

The water was awesome! It was like a nice bath. I could have stayed in all day, but the baby's feet started to look real funny.

Bob fixed an awesome stir fry dinner with beef, all the veggies and rice. And of course Josh's favorite dump cake for dessert. One of MY favorites as well, and surely Joseph's too someday. Man, nothing can beat a good dump cake!

Anyone singing this number? Rubber duckie your the one, you make pool time so much fun! I had that in my head all day...

We decided to leave his diaper on under his swim shorts "just in case". Then, we thought we were going to have to darn near cut him out of his trunks when that sucker swelled up with water. It was the funniest thing! We peeled it off of him half way through and laughed at how BIG it was!

Here we are! Say "cheesie-poofs!"

And our naked baby loved the breeze on his boys! LOL! Who wouldn't?! ;)

Awwww!

It's a baby bottom! If this isn't the sweetest picture EVER then I just don't know what is! If you ask me, these two hung the moon.