Long Time, No Post...

I just can't hardly believe that it is December 7th and 2011 is right around the corner!

My, how time flies when you are busy...

I haven't posted anything in so long, so much has been going on. This Fall season has been trying on our family, but we just hold onto each other and keep going.

Tomorrow is my last day of student teaching and I couldn't be happier - it has been a long road, with a few bumps along the way, but I am almost there! I presented my final portfolio about 3 weeks ago and received an A in my final portfolio class at Christian Brothers. After tomorrow I will be hoping for a job... I have interviewed with the county school system and am hoping something pops up! If nothing pops up, I can always substitute and that will definitely keep me busy. With a lighter work load in the recent few weeks Greg said he feels as if he has his wife back.

Christmas will be here before we know it. Mom will fly in from Colorado in a couple of weeks and we'll all enjoy Christmas here (although Em & Kevin will stay in Denver and Dad is still in Afghanistan, so we'll be missing them!!) Greg and I are both going to be off the whole week between Christmas and New Years, so we are looking forward to some down time and relaxation. Dad will arrive here in January for a short R&R from Afghanistan, looking forward to that.

The picture I posted is of me and my sweet, precious nephew - Aidan. Have y'all seen him before? I don't know if I talk about him enough or show you enough pictures (ha!)...

This picture was taken last weekend at the Arlington town square, the train was passing by and Aidan was amazed, as you can tell. Happy Christmas, here is to more posting...

Pumpkin Love

The cuteness ...

Zucchini Love

Here is the first fruit of my earth box labor.

While away to Colorado, Greg took care of the plant and when

I got home Monday evening this was waiting for me!

I can't wait to make some zucchini bread :) Yum!

Colorado in September

Last Thursday I headed out to Colorado to visit my Dad, while on his R&R from Afghanistan. Emily (sista) and Kevin (hipsta) visited from Denver and we had a great time! This was one of the greatest trips I have had out there, although it would have been better if Mom, Greg and the rest of our family had been able to make it... maybe next time! On Friday, Em and I went to Walsenburg to check out some of the antique/junk stores and found some killer $4 rings - best buy of the whole trip! Then we headed to Cuchara with the boys and ate at the infamous Dog Bar, did a little shopping, and then drove up to the Cuchara pass to look at the beautiful Aspen leaves changing. Saturday we headed to Antonito, CO to catch the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Train to Osier where we ate lunch and headed back. Along the way we saw Aspen trees, deep gorges, transvestites, holey sweatpants, and sut. All in all, it was a 6 hour trip that was amazing! Some photos are below. Sunday was the day Em and Kevin headed back to Denver (sad!). Kevin headed back on his bike while Em followed Dad and I to Pueblo, CO where we walked the Riverwalk and found a local pub to eat lunch. If you've never had a boxty from an Irish pub, I suggest you try one.... delish! If it hadn't been before noon, I would have tried one of their brews... maybe next time! Later that day Dad and I did some shopping at Lowe's where I saw my first ever "unisex" labeled bathroom... still pondering that one.

We had a grand visit in a short amount of time. Hope to get Greg out there with me next time... but someone has to work around here!

Enjoy the photos below...

Dad and Kevin on the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad Ride through the mountains.

View of the Aspen changing from the outdoor train car.

Shamrock Brewing Co. in Pueblo, CO.

Laverne and Shirley ... oops,

I mean Katie and Emily getting on the train.

Most often we find ourselves dressed alike.

Me and Dad at the bridge in Cuchara, CO.

Me and Em up at the Cuchara overlook, breezy...

Hilariously striped sisters.

Em's attempt at the Titanic pose...

"Weeeeeeeeeeeee"

Me, never wanting to leave!

Sad Bird

Do you think Birdie is sad I'm leaving?

Heading out to Colorado tomorrow morning to visit my Dad while he is home on a short break from Afghanistan. I will also get to see my sister Emily and Kevin while I am out there! Looking forward to a break from school and student teaching - a breath of fresh mountain air will do me good. Wish I could squeeze Greg and Birdie into my carryon...

Massive Zucchini

An updated photo of our HUGE zucchini plant that is growing in an Earth Box on our deck. There are two separate plants growing and they are out of control. There are 4 baby zucchini that have developed and we'll get to eat the fruits of our labor before too long!

Zucchini and Katie (please disregard our distressed deck!)

New Favorite Recipe

Need something quick, easy, and healthy?

I found this recipe on the Weight Watchers website...

only 4 points per serving.

The recipe makes 4 servings.

They taste as if you've fried up some chicken - but it is the opposite!

Here is the recipe below, try it out and let me know how you liked it!

The husband was speechless and satisfied :)

Ingredients

	2 Tbsp honey mustard
	2 Tbsp buttermilk
	1/2 cup(s) dried bread crumbs
	1 pound(s) uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 12 equal strips
	6 Tbsp barbecue sauce, hickory-flavored preferred

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 450ºF. Place a large baking sheet in the oven to preheat.
  
  
• In a shallow dish, whisk together mustard and buttermilk. Place bread crumbs in a separate dish. Add chicken to mustard mixture; turn to coat. I let the chicken sit in the liquid mixture for a few minutes while the oven preheats. Transfer chicken to bread crumbs and turn to coat.
  
  
• Remove the hot baking sheet from oven and coat with cooking spray. Place chicken on baking sheet and bake 6 minutes; flip and bake until golden brown and cooked through, about 6 minutes more.
  
  
• Serve chicken fingers with barbecue sauce on the side. Yields about 3 chicken fingers and 1 1/2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce per serving.

A Note

I get tons of letters and art work every day from my sweet 1st graders.

I've only been in this class for 4 weeks but have enough artwork and notes to last a lifetime!

I wanted to share this one, as it melted my heart when I read it.

I translated below if you are unable to make out some of the words!

It reads:

"Mrs. Clemits | I love you | you love me |

I will miss you when it is the end of the yaer (year)

but you will be in my Gratfull hrat (grateful heart)."

We're working on complete sentences this week :)

Vacuum Fried Snack

A favorite new snack I was introduced to by my Aunt Les who found these at Fresh Market. I have to share them on here because they are fantastic! The beans are vacuum fried (resulting in less fat than traditional frying methods) and lightly salted for the ultimate snacking sensation! They have a salty and sweet flavor. I'm in love!

They also offer okra prepared in the same way - and they are just as great.

If you're ever near a Fresh Market, try them out!

They have been husband tested and husband approved.