The reason why my poor shop hasn't gotten anything new...

I'm an Auntie now!!!!!

My brother and his wife had their little boy and I've been spending as much free time with my first nephew as I can. Logan and Olivia are loving having a new little cousin!

Jackson Nathaniel

June 16, 2009

12:28pm

8lb 5oz, 20 in

My little man

23 months is the "funnest" age I think!  Logan is now just a month away from from turning 2...yay!  He's learning something new everyday and it's so fun to see him process things.  He's in the stage where he wants to do everything we do.  I caught him trying to sew the other day (hmmm, maybe he sees me at my sewing machine too much!)

So, I was home sick for a few days this week with a terrible cold so I got to watch a mini marathon of my favorite show, Top Chef.  Logan, ran in the room and was glued to the tv for a few minutes, ran to his cupboard in the kitchen and came back in with his "cooking stuff."  I think we have  chef among us!  I'm on a search now for fun felt food patterns!

 

Doesn't this just make you want to smile?

I have the happiest baby in the world, she can always put a smile on my face!  What a little cutie!

Any day now!

I'm going to be an Auntie for the first time any day now and I am so excited!!!!!  My brother, Nate and my sister-in-law, Di are expecting their first little bundle of joy literally any day now.  I think I'm just as anxious and excited for them as I was when I was pregnant with my own little ones.  That waiting game is the hardest thing because you know that at any moment you could be holding and looking into the face of your baby.  It's the most wonderful and emotional experience of my life.  There is nothing in the world that compares to seeing your baby for the very first time.  I know it's kind of weird to say, but both times I had such easy and quick births (thanks to an epidural!)  But I have such wonderful memories from my children being born.  I hope the same happens for them.

Where has summer gone!

Ok, for those of you living in California, you know exactly what I'm talking about. For everyone else...this time of year we're supposed to be having 100 degree weather and having BBQs and going to the beach, you know doing "summery" stuff. Nope. A couple of weeks ago we had a hot week and we all though "ok, summer is here to stay", but last week started the cold, cloudy, windy weather again. Isn't it June today??? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this weather so much better then being all sweaty and cranky from the heat...it's just so weird.

So, even though it's hard to say being that it's the first day of June, but this is what my family can look forward to for dinner tonight! My step sister's fabulous chicken chili with a few "Stacey" tweeks to it!

Chicken & Black Bean Chili

drizzle of olive oil

2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts-cubed

1 onion-chopped

2 garlic cloves-minced

2 red bell peppers-diced

2 tsp chili powder

2- 24oz cans of stewed or diced tomatoes (Yummy tip-I like to use the fire roasted tomatoes!)

1 cup salsa (Yummy tip-I use a mango or a peach/pineapple salsa!)

1 can corn

1 can black beans

In a large pot, brown chicken in olive oil and reserve to the side. Add onion, garlic and red bell pepper and sautee until soft and tender, about 10 minutes. Next add the chili powder, tomatoes, salso, corn and black beans and mix.

Simmer away! Let your chili simmer for at least 1 hour to let the flavors blend. Add chicken back to the pot for the last 5-10 minutes of cooking to reheat.

Top with your favorite toppings! Our favorites are fresh red onion, chedder cheese and sour cream.

I let my chili simmer all afternoon so that when my husband comes home from work the house is filled with the smell of warm corn bread and chili. He gets the biggest smile on his face and I get the biggest hug and kiss! He's a good 'ol southern boy from Oaklahoma, so this brings him right back to his childhood.