Girls Are Like Apples! Happy Valentines Day!

How To Stop Texting And Driving

I struggle with this. I am trying to be good about staying off my phone while driving. I even think texting at a red light is NOT GOOD.

I saw this and thought BRILLIANT.

The Red Thumb Reminder could really save lives. Here's how it works.

Remember the whole tie a sting around your finger to remind you of something? Instead you paint one thumb nail RED.

That one thumb nail will be a reminder not to text and drive. Or talk on the phone and drive!

Still not convinced?

How about this:

 

How to Raise a Boy Tip #324- Boys Need Baths

Landon has been through so much with his surgery and now physical therapy I need to give him time to just BE.

I think all kids need that. Too much scheduled stuff and homework can just make their heads spin. Not to mention negative influences around everywhere.

I am telling you I don't think people really understand that keeping your kids young, innocent and full of wonder is tough in this world!

I work hard at it.

One of the ways I do this? A bath.

Oh I know. You are excited when kids are finally showering, on their own and there's one last thing on the to do list, BUT, kids (boys especially) need time in the bath. They need to zone out, lay in their and contemplate and have one second when their not running, talking or trying to play on some electronic device!

Landon and Coco both still take baths, it's their alone time. They each take baths separately and take their time playing and relaxing. I don't rush them. Whens the last time you didn't rush your kid?

Baths are where it's at I'm telling you. Try it and see.

Best SuperBowl Party Recipe! Buffalo Chicken Nachos!

I'm not ashamed to say that I don't care about the Superbowl,  I care about the food! HA!

This is hands down the easiest and best party recipe ever and so GOOD!!!!


Buffalo Chicken Nachos!

The Girl Who Ate Everything is a genius and her recipes are fabulous!!! The secret to these nachos is...
COOL RANCH DORITOS!!!

 

8 cups Ranch flavored tortilla chips (I used Cool Ranch Doritos)

4 cups cooked chicken shredded

1 1/2 cups Frank's Buffalo Wing sauce

water

3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

4 ounces blue cheese crumbles

1 cup chopped celery

Read more at http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2011/02/buffalo-chicken-nachos.html#CmoP9Kz3gvGL3M7r.99

Buffalo Chicken Nachos

Ingredients

• 8 cups Ranch flavored tortilla chips (I used Cool Ranch Doritos)
• 4 cups cooked chicken shredded
• 1 1/2 cups Frank's Buffalo Wing sauce
• water
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 ounces blue cheese crumbles
• 1 cup chopped celery

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Spread tortilla chips on a rimmed baking sheet or in a shallow dish.
2. Bring wing sauce and 1/2 cup water to a simmer. Add shredded cooked chicken; heat through. Strain the chicken (reserving the sauce) and spread over ranch-flavored tortilla chips. Top with shredded cheddar.
3. Bake in the upper third portion of the oven until cheese is melted for about 5-7 minutes. After nachos are baked top with blue cheese, chopped celery and the reserved wing sauce.

Ingredients

• 8 cups Ranch flavored tortilla chips (I used Cool Ranch Doritos)
• 4 cups cooked chicken shredded
• 1 1/2 cups Frank's Buffalo Wing sauce
• water
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 ounces blue cheese crumbles
• 1 cup chopped celery

Download a Free Greek e-cookbook

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Spread tortilla chips on a rimmed baking sheet or in a shallow dish.
2. Bring wing sauce and 1/2 cup water to a simmer. Add shredded cooked chicken; heat through. Strain the chicken (reserving the sauce) and spread over ranch-flavored tortilla chips. Top with shredded cheddar.
3. Bake in the upper third portion of the oven until cheese is melted for about 5-7 minutes. After nachos are baked top with blue cheese, chopped celery and the reserved wing sauce.

Notes

Note: All these measurements are approximate. As with any nachos, adjust ingredients to your personal preference.

Read more at http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2011/02/buffalo-chicken-nachos.html#CmoP9Kz3gvGL3M7r.99

Ingredients

• 8 cups Ranch flavored tortilla chips (I used Cool Ranch Doritos)
• 4 cups cooked chicken shredded
• 1 1/2 cups Frank's Buffalo Wing sauce
• water
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 ounces blue cheese crumbles
• 1 cup chopped celery

Download a Free Greek e-cookbook

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Spread tortilla chips on a rimmed baking sheet or in a shallow dish.
2. Bring wing sauce and 1/2 cup water to a simmer. Add shredded cooked chicken; heat through. Strain the chicken (reserving the sauce) and spread over ranch-flavored tortilla chips. Top with shredded cheddar.
3. Bake in the upper third portion of the oven until cheese is melted for about 5-7 minutes. After nachos are baked top with blue cheese, chopped celery and the reserved wing sauce.

Notes

Note: All these measurements are approximate. As with any nachos, adjust ingredients to your personal preference.

Read more at http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2011/02/buffalo-chicken-nachos.html#CmoP9Kz3gvGL3M7r.99

Take the Vanity Fair Questionnaire

If you answer these on your blog let me know! I want to read it!!!

Or answer in your comment!



What is your idea of perfect happiness? A beach vacation with wine.
What is your greatest fear? My children dying.
Which historical figure do you most identify with? Lilly Pulitzer. I'm just a girl with a vacationy dream.
Which living person do you most admire? Carol Burnett
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Being judgemental.
What is the trait you most deplore in others? One upping.
What is your greatest extravagance? Dinners out.
What is your favorite journey? Self discovery
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
On what occasion do you lie? If it will hurt someones feelings.
What do you dislike most about your appearance? Getting old.
Which living person do you most despise? Anyone who demands that it’s their way or the highway.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
What is your greatest regret? Trusting the untrustworthy.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My husband, kids, cats and dog.
When and where were you happiest? At the altar.
Which talent would you most like to have? Flexibility, and a great singing voice
What is your current state of mind? Amazed and slightly panicked.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My weight!
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Parenting without a net.
If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? A pelican who visits the Highlands Inn in Carmel.
What is your most treasured possession? My humor.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? No sense of humor.
Where would you like to live? Bahamas.
What is your favorite occupation? Doing the unexpected.
What is your most marked characteristic? My humor and knack for being people together.
What is the quality you most like in a man? Resilience.
What is the quality you most like in a woman? Loyalty
What do you most value in your friends? Being there through thin and thin. That’s friendship treasured.
Who are your favorite writers? Maya Angelou
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?Auntie Mame and Mary Poppins
Who are your heroes in real life? My father and my son.
What are your favorite names? Landon and Coco.
What is it that you most dislike? Braggarts
How would you like to die? I wouldn’t.
What is your motto? Save water drink Champagne.

Friday Five! Cardio Barre, The Blacklist and The Eagles Oh My!

Hi!

Here are the things I am loving right now! Brought to you by these lovely ladies: A. Liz Adventures, Hello! Happiness, The good life blog and Carolina Charm.

1. Cardio Barre-

Ladies I cannot tell you how long it had been since I exercised! I am now re invigorated after discovering Cardio Barre. It's low impact, high energy and fun. Have you tried it?

This is a video of the guy who runs my studio!




2. The Blacklist

James Spader is back and more evil than ever! I just love him and the show is riveting! Check it out on NBC!

 

3. I made this Greek Yogurt Chicken from Laloosh and it was great! You don't even need to marinate it. Just whip it up!

Lowfat and delicious!

4. I went to see the Eagles in concert and I have to say I was pretty impressed. They sounded great and were funny as hell. Go see them if you can :)

5. The Target Ankle Skinny Jean is rocking my world. Just got the dark denim too. Hello they are $11!!!!! The have cute little zippers on the back of the ankle!

Throw Back Thursday

Where does the time go!?

Valentines Day Favors

Every year I get ahead of this because two classes and this many kids can make my mind whirl!!!! Valentines are so cute.


Last year I did these:

This year I got these for Oriental Trading Company:

Landon picked out these Valentine Gorillas for his class.

Coco liked these!

Yes, light up heart necklaces.
You light up my life? Sure!

Now if you're feeling more crafty, I do think these ideas are cute:

Dig it?

What are you making for Valentines Day?

Five On Friday- My Top Five Most Popular Blog Posts Of The Year

I got this idea from September Acres, who has a fabulous blog herself! Of course this Friday Five I am connecting with these amazing ladies who all seem to be pregnant!! It's in the water look out! LOL

Here are my top five most popular blog posts of 2013. Let's do it David Letterman style to make it more suspenseful!

5. The Five Best Thanksgiving Ideas From Pinterest- My Friday Five!

Well of course. These ideas are amazing. Especially this!!!

4.  RIP Lilly Pulitzer- Anythings Possible With Sunshine and A Little Pink

Lilly Pulitzer is not just a brand. It's an attitude. Read on!

3.  March is National Reading Month With Levar Burton!

I am so happy that this is a popular post! Reading Rainbow is back in a big way!

2.  The Best Hotel In Santa Barbara- The Montecito Inn!

And I feel that the love is mutual because they send me a Christmas Card! LOL

And the most popular post of 2013 is.......


1. The Going Rate for The Toothfairy. How much do you give?

This was a controversial post! Weigh in!!!

Thanks for a great year!!!!Looking forward to a fabulous 2014!!!!

Starving

Sometimes we don't know how hungry we are....


For a hug...

For a real friend....

For beauty....

For Connection....

So when Landon's sweet school got a new addition of green. After these kids had just seen black top...and suddenly grass. They felt nothing but JOY.

I was so happy to help and make this happen. These kids were starving for green. Starving for playtime. Starving for joy. And now they've got it. And it brings tears to my eyes.