1/11/11-What a great day!

It is officially 1/11/11. Lets make the best of today. Enjoy all your loved ones and give 1 extra kiss today. I love all my family & friends.

Roxie Lou

Here is our new puppy. She is a joy to have around and the kids love her to pieces.

Date Night

Last night I had a great time with my husband. We went out and had a great time with great friends. We laughed until the wee hours of morning. It really shows me that we should do it more often. The kids had a great night with grandma. I was able to go to Barnes and Noble and bought both kids several books. Today has been another relaxing day. We have been lazy, reading books and just enjoying each other. Now it is time to go take a quick shower and off to work I go.

I love my life as a mommy and a wife!!

I have lots of things to say....

My house is slowing coming together. I started in the family room and that is perfect. The next day I did the 2 upstairs bathrooms. Yesterday I finished both kids rooms. Today I must get my formal living room done. I have so much to do in a very little time.

On another note, I am only working 4 hours today and the I get to go out for dinner and drinks with my hubby.

We got a beautiful puppy. She is an Italian Greyhound, Terrier Mix and she is awesome. Our little girl named her Roxie Lou. She is sweet as can be.

I applied for the local community college and am able to register at the end of January.

I will post pictures of our new addition as soon as I can find my camera. It is currently lost and we have no idea where it is.

I hope everyone has a great day!!

The best dinner ever

Albondigas Soup

So on New Years Eve, my husband and I went out to dinner with my parents. We enjoyed great food and great company at a local Mexican Restaurant. Both my husband and my step dad ordered Albondigas Soup. They ranted and raved about how good it was. So I made a version of this soup today. I looked up recipes at allrecipes.com and added some other things and improvised. This is the recipe I found online.

Ingredients
1 quart water
4 carrots, sliced
2 small potatoes, peeled and diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 1/2 cups salsa, medium or hot
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1/3 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
1/3 cup milk
chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Directions
1.In a large stock pot, bring water, carrots, potatoes, onion, salsa, and bouillon cubes to a boil. Reduce to a medium simmer, stirring occasionally, approximately 10 minutes.
2.Mix the beef, breadcrumbs, and milk together in a bowl. Form into 1-inch meatballs, and drop into boiling broth. Once soup returns to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low.
3.Cover and cook 20 minutes, or until meatballs are no longer pink in center and vegetables are tender. Serve with sprinkled cilantro for garnish.


What I did ended up a lot different but so good.
Ingredients

BASE
2 cups tomato sauce
32 oz. chicken broth
4 cups water
1 jar Pace Picante salsa
2 beef bouillon cubes
Oregano
Red Pepper Flakes
Ground Cumin
Bay Leaves

VEGGIES
1 small bag of baby carrots, cliced
6 red potatoes diced
1 medium onion, sliced
1 whole stalk of celery, sliced

MEATBALLS
2 pounds ground beef
2 Tablespoons rice
1 egg
Salt, pepper and oregano
chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Directions
1.In a large stock pot, bring tomato sauce, broth, water, carrots, potatoes, onion, salsa, celery, spices and bouillon cubes to a boil. Reduce to a slow simmer, stirring occasionally, approximately 45 minutes. Bring the soup back to a boil before adding meatballs.
2.Mix the beef, rice, egg and spices together in a bowl. Form into 1-inch meatballs, and drop into boiling broth. Once soup returns to a boil, reduce heat to low.
3.Cover and cook 20 minutes, or until meatballs are no longer pink in center and vegetables are tender. Serve with sprinkled cilantro for garnish. We chose to add some cheese and lime juice as well.


This was such a great hearty soup. It was delicious and we have plenty leftover. I am actually excited to eat leftovers.

Melting Snow

The snow is almost all melted but the process is both beautiful and annoying. Melting snow equals a huge mess. My house is a huge mess. I don't even know where to begin the process of cleaning it either. I almost had a snow day from work yesterday but I went to work. Both kids are at school today. I need to have a list and stick to it. I guess I am going to try to tackle this one room at a time. I might be done cleaning by the next New Year.

I have started thinking about one too many things again. I have alot of "projects" that I would love to have done by the end of this beautiful New Year. I have decided to try to go back to school. Even if I take it one class at a time. So I guess this will be my New Years Resolution for 2011. GO BACK TO SCHOOL. I have alot of other things I would like to accomplish in this life time and I strongly believe going back to school to further my education will be the first step I need to take to accomplish my long term goals.

CHEERS!! Here's to 2011!!

A great day!

Just a brief look into our lives today.

Today has been a great day. First, it is SNOWING!! We live in California so this is a very rare occurance. We took the kids bowling today. They had a blast. It is such a beautiful sight to see the excitement in our childrens eyes. After bowling we had to stop for a few things at the grocery store. On the way home the roads were not in the best conditions, but thankfully we made it home safely. The kids played in the backyard and had a great snowball fight. The laughter I heard through the window while making dinner was priceless. After a warm bath, pajamas and a movie of their choice it was off to bed for the little ones. I am so thankful for 2 wonderful children and a loving husband. I love you guys!!

On a side note, 10:30 at night and our phone rings, yep no school tomorrow, so we may be able to have another fun day in the snow.