Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Do you Like it Hot?

I do.  I like it hot, and spicy.  And I'm talking about soup.

You people really need to get your heads out of the gutter.

But since I'm a married woman, can I just keep mine in the gutter for a minute and say that I do like it hot?

Sorry Mom, I forgot to say cover your ears.

Was that inappropriate?  Let me know.  I can always erase this stuff, but I probably won't, so don't even worry about it.

Ahem.

Back to the soup.


Tim and I love to have Campbell's tomato soup and a grilled cheese with American cheese.  Seriously.  It's one of my favorites.  There is nothing better than dipping that sandwich into the hot soup.

But.

I'm on a "diet" of eating healthier and working out.

I'm doing pretty good with it by the way, thank you for asking.  I've joined a basketball team that plays Monday nights with some old teammates of mine.  It is a blast.  We have sucked big time the past 2 weeks, but we do really good the first half.  When we all have energy to sprint up and down the court.  I scored twice last night.  That's better than my big fat goose egg last week!

Plus I'm running a couple days a week and walking sometimes with friends.  It works.  I'm getting there.

Oh right, back to the soup.  Sorry, I'm getting a bit off topic right now.  Maybe it's because Madi is pretending to be a ghost right now with a blanket over her head.  She's bumping into walls and doors and tells these inanimate objects that she's sowwy.  It's funny but I need to make sure that she doesn't hurt herself.

I even tried to get a few pictures but she won't let me.  They are into that right now.  Not letting me take pictures of them.  But that's another story and I need to get back to the soup.

Since eating healthier, I've tried a few recipes from Ellie Krieger.  She's that healthy chef on Food Network.  I really do like her recipes.  Very flavorful for healthy food.

So I thought I'd share a spicy tomato soup recipe that I tried.  You can follow this link to see the recipe and print it out.

First things first, cook your onion for a bit.


Then you add your jalapeño and spices.  And if you remember correctly, I like it hot and spicy so I add another jalapeño and cumin (which the cumin isn't really spicy if you ask me, it's more smokey).


After you cook that for a minute, you add your broth...


And tomatoes.


You can make your own tortilla strips to put in the soup if you'd like.  Very easy.  Take corn tortillas, brush both sides with oil, cut them into strips, add salt, and put in the oven until they are a bit browned.  Ellie tells you how.


After your soup simmers for about ten minutes, you take out your Grandma's very old blender that works like magic and will never break to puree everything together.


When I was done with that, I put it all back in the pot to stay warm while I made another Ellie Krieger recipe to go with it.


If you don't make the soup, make these sandwiches.  Oh man are these good.  I could have tripled the onions on these things.  So good!

You sauté your onions and add salt and pepper.  Take two slices of whole wheat bread and put a slice of cheddar on each.  Top with onions.


Next you add your tomatoes.  And since I love the tomatoes at Sam's, I've mentioned those before right?  Like a million times?  Yeah, go get some.  They rock the house.

Anyway add your slice of pepper jack (because I like it hot, have I mentioned that?)
And your tomatoes.  And add salt and pepper.  Salt to taste and pepper because, well you know.


Spray your pan with cooking spray (I used the dirty pan that I cooked my onions in for more flavor, so I very lightly sprayed) and grill your sandwiches. 


And there you have it.  A hot, and spicy meal.  That is pretty healthy.  No butter on the whole wheat bread.  Soup that is like 0 grams of fat.  Only real badness is the cheese.  Oh how I love cheese!


Next step, enjoy eating your dinner with your hot husband.

And make it spicy.

Too much?

Okay, I'll stop.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Part 3 - FINALLY



I don't know why I've been slacking and not wanting to do this post.  Too many birthday posts and I am out of juice for the actual birthday party post.

Bad Mommy.

Well, the birthday festivities are over and have been for quite sometime.  Just last night I finally let the air out of two of Riley's birthday balloons. 

Her party was on the first with the family.  I wanted it to be very relaxed and calm.  I made a little football type spread (because of the games on) of pizzas, meatballs, my Mom brought weenies, and we had a vege platter.  Probably some other sides too but it's been so long I can't remember.

Whatever it was, it was yummy and I of course, ate way too much.

Riley requested a castle cake for her birthday.  I was so not in the mood to do this cake.  I had to decorate it on New Year's Eve.  Leave it to me to bring in the new year making a cake, blah.

Of course I had help.  Help from people drinking champagne.  It was New Year's Eve after all.

I had Tim rolling out fondant for the turrets. 

Tim's Dad was on turret shingle duty.

And Joy was on refill of beverage duty.
We worked well together, and got it done by 11:00 pm.  Not bad.




The table.





 The birthday girl.

Thank goodness that Joy got a few of her with her camera.  Why is it so hard to take pictures of the event when it's at your own house?  Am I the only one that doesn't even want to take pictures after working hard all day to have the house and food in order for company?


Yeah, she's wearing the same outfit that she did in San Diego.

And she was embarrassed when we sang Happy Birthday to her.





This post is very out of order but I'm okay with that.  I was up really late last night and don't have my heart in this post.  Can you tell?  How sad.

One thing we did do was let Riley open up her presents first and while Madi was napping, it was perfect.


And Riley gave everyone the biggest and best thank you I've ever seen.

She's such a sweetie!

Happy birthday to my Riley Rose!

Monday, January 17, 2011

San Diego with the Student

Yesterday we headed down to San Diego to see my brother Sean's new studio apartment.  First day of law school starts Tuesday.

He already has six new friends.

He says they are his people.

I believe him.  He has found his people.

Hopefully these people will come to Corona one day to visit so that I can actually see more people like Sean.

Should be interesting.

Have you been to San Diego recently?  Downtown?  It's gorgeous.  Everywhere you turn there is a photo opportunity.  I felt like I couldn't snap enough pictures.


I wanted to do a photo shoot with the girls while we were down there for my Valentine's day header.  But it didn't really happen.  I did get a few good pictures that might work though.


I think I'm going to go back out though, some place local and do a fun shoot.  With jeans, and hearts, and maybe some candy.


We stopped at a local place for pizza and beer.  It was the best pizza I've ever had.  I wonder if they deliver to Corona.


There was this really cool brick wall in the pizza place.  I thought I'd try to get some pictures again.  Don't you think Riley is beautiful?  I do.  Of course I am her mother and don't count.


And this one looks like an angel.

But she's really a devil in disguise.


Sean said that his new friends are competitive.  That's right up Sean's alley.  Kelley's are competitive.  We like to win.  I bet this little competition will just help Sean succeed.

I'm so proud of Sean.  He is going to do good things.  And I think I'm going to visit often.


I might come alone one day.  I don't know yet what I'll do with my monsters but I'll figure it out.  I want to go shopping there, and sit at a pub and have a pint.  Yeah, I'm still talking about San Diego.  They do have pubs there.


We walked right by the Padre's stadium.  It's gorgeous.


We let the girls run around on some grass right there outside the stadium.  They got out a lot of built up energy.  So did Daddy.



There were so many places just walking the streets that would be great places to take some pictures of anyone that would be willing to pose.  Couldn't you see a beautiful blue eyed girl leaning up against this white wall?


Or you could just try to take pictures of the goofy people that are with you.  It works.



We ended our day with a beverage up on the roof of Sean's apartment complex.  Awesome spot.  Awesome city.




Good luck Sean.  I hope you do well.  I know you will do well.  You are pretty smart. 




I know I still have to post pictures of Riley part 3.  It will come, I promise.  I hope.

How was your weekend?

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Riley Part 2 of 3 (The Preschool Party)


Token picture of Madi, she is still a part of the family, it's just been all about Riley lately.


Last Friday, we celebrated Riley's birthday with all of her friends at preschool.



The cupcakes drew instant attention.

Riley is trying to make sure the cupcakes stay safe.


Madi and I got there right before lunch, this is when they always read a story.  Little Miss Attitude was a bit overwhelmed that I was there, and taking pictures, and that it was her birthday, and that the story was just for her.


Miss Arcee read them a story all about birthdays.


 While Miss Jennifer set up the lunch that we brought.  We brought pizza and drinks for the kids to enjoy.


Before the kids lined up to wash their hands for lunch, they got in a circle with Riley in the middle to sing her Happy Birthday, fancy style with music.


Notice anyone that got treated like a big kid?  Right next to the birthday girl?  Lucky duck!
(Speaking of the Ducks...enter sad face here.)


Yep, she's four alright.  Three birthday parties later I think it finally hit me.


At least this one is still a little toddler terror.


Riley really enjoyed her special day at preschool.  I think she has a hard time sometimes when all the attention is on her.  She must get that from me.  Now that she's four, she's definitely bigger.  But not as big as me yet.  That's when I remind her to just say tall.  I don't want to be known as "big". =)

And I'll leave you with the greatest "mystery" of all time.  Why do kids take a delicious looking cupcake like this...


And only eat half?


I think my Mom knows the answer to that question. 

 

Me

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I'm Kristi, the wife of one very lucky and handsome husband, and mother to two beautiful little girls. I'm honest and sarcastic, funny and easy going. I love to eat and love to hate that I love butter. And wine. And did I mention butter? I'm always learning new things, happy to lend a hand, and love my life. This is a blog of my family and the day to day crazy that we call Rush Hour. I hope while you are here that you enjoy yourself and come back often!

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