Champagne, Pearls, Sippy Cups and Rubber Ducks

First things first, a stay at home mom is a career. One to be held at a high value. Since the age of 16 I have had a job, pulled in some sort of income and been a contributing individual to a household. Whether it be my parents, my own as i-n-d-e-p-e-n-d-e-n-t woman, as a spouse and lastly as a mother. This my friends was one of the hardest adjustments for me to deal with when transitioning as a career woman to a SAHM. When those pay checks stopped I started feeling like those dinner and drink dates with girl friends needed to stop. Was it really fair for me to be going out by myself and spending my husbands hard-earned money? Was it ok for me to go to the mall and buy that $150 coat? I mean its marked down from $250 and I need it, right? Or did I need to actually put that $150 towards my credit card? I felt guilty for doing all the things that I did before because it was no longer with any money that I was helping contribute to. It was all money that my husband was earning. Uh, oh! W

My husband and I are expecting our second child this July. I am not one of those women that would say I love or hate being pregnant, but I can with certainty say that I crave EVERYTHING I can't have when I am pregnant. Par for course, right? It seems it's just human nature to want what we can't have. I am absolutely dying to have a steak cooked medium rare. The thought of a tuna or rainbow roll makes my mouth water. Oh, and alcoholic beverages...I am not a big drinker, but some days I would give anything for a good glass of red wine. I remember feeling this exact same way the first time I was pregnant. However, all those strong cravings passed once I had Addison, truly proving that I am one of those crazy folks that yearn for what I know I can't have. All of that being said, I would prefer not to eat a well done steak so I end up giving it up altogether while I am pregnant. No disrespect to anyone that enjoys their steak cooked that way, but I just can't do 

It is March, almost April and is still cold, oh wait, freezing in Kentucky. As much as this upsets me I decided to take advantage of the extended winter season and make a large pot of chili. Chili is definitely a seasonal food for me. I don't enjoy chili, or any soup for that matter, near as much when it's warm out.  My husband is typically the "chili maker" in our home. He rarely cooks, so when he volunteers to help out in the kitchen I gladly step aside. I wouldn't dare tread on what he has going on, so I make sure I create something that tastes and is made completely different than his chili. If you have checked out any of my earlier blogs you have probably gathered that I like putting my own twist on things anyhow. Ergo, my steakhouse slow cooker chili! This chili has a little twang, a little heat and is made in the crock pot. What's not to love? I start by cutting a few slices of thick bacon into bite size pieces. Bacon makes everything bette

  Surprised to finally see another post from me?  I did a great job keeping up with my blog throughout the end of the summer, but as the school year began it got harder and harder for me to find the time to write. Over the past few months many of you have contacted me and mentioned that you enjoyed reading my blog and were duplicating some of the recipes. THANK YOU!! You have no idea how happy that makes me because I truly enjoy writing this blog. I started blogging to help others learn how to create easy, healthy meals at home and it is about time I get back at it. So, here it goes. I'm back in the saddle again.   Daily preparing healthy meals has become a challenging task with a toddler at home! My sweet little Addison is into absolutely everything these days. I honestly never thought I would say it, but leftover night has become one of my favorites at home. Pasta dishes save very well and some would even argue that the leftovers are equally as delicious! That being sa