Friday, June 5, 2009

Summer Nights

The weather has truly been amazing! Not too hot. Not too cool. Just enough wind. Yum! Speaking of YUM…this is a must try summer recipe…

Steak Tostadas with Avacados, Tomatoes, and Olives

1 ½ lbs beef flank steak
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 tbsp Crushed Peppercorn & Garlic Rub
2 medium avocados
1 cup grape tomatoes
1 cup pitted kalamata olives
1 lemon
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
¼ tsp salt
12 tostadas
¾ cup cotija cheese, crumbled

  1. Heat Grill Pan over med-high heat 5 min. Brush both sides of steak with 1 tbsp of oil and sprinkle with rub. Place steak into pan; top with Grill Press. Cook 4 min. Turn; top with press. Reduce heat to med.;cook an additional 4-6 min. Remove from pan. Let stand 5 min.
  2. Meanwhile, peel and dice avocados. Cut tomatoes in half and coarsely chop olives. Zest lemon to measure 1 tsp. Juice lemon to measure 1 tbsp juice. Combine avocados, tomatoes, olives, zest, juice, parsley, salt and remaining oil; mix well.
  3. Thinly slice steak diagnally against the grain. Cut slices into 1-inch pieces. Divide among tostadas; top with avocado mixture and cheese.

Serves 6

My take-I used lime juice and zest because I didn’t have a lemon. I used roma tomatoes. We left out cheese and olives (David hates olives). We also used tortillas because I didn’t have tostadas. And last, if you don’t have the rub you can press 3 cloves of garlic, 1tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper instead. YUMMY!!! Super easy, but fresh, fantastic taste in your mouth.

Here is a pic of our oh so short bicycle lessons.

Good bedtime books from the library-Charlie and Lola :)

Then morning comes and today she is off for a a fun day of Sprinklers and Splashing at school.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Welcome To My Dressing Room

So, David (and Averi, of course) bought me a super cute dress for Mother’s Day, but it was a bit too big. By the time I took it back, they were all clearanced and did not have a smaller size. I was going to buy gym shorts instead (good intentions I have), but David really wanted me to have a new dress. So knowing me, I must try on every dress in town to make sure I get the right one at the right price. And on these journeys, here are a few thoughts from my precious little girl!

Dressing Room 1:

Averi- “Mom you have a baby in your tummy.”

Me- “No, Averi, I don’t. Why would you say something like that?”

Averi- “Because it’s big, mom.”

I knew I should have gone with the gym shorts instead of a dress! She’s so sweet, isn’t she?

Dressing Room 2:

Setting: We are in one of the front dressing rooms so the staff is right outside, 3 of them to be exact.

Averi- “Mom, why did you take your panties off?

Me- “Averi, I didn’t take my panties off. That’s not funny.”

Averi- “Yes you did mom. Why did you take your panties off?”

Me- “Averi Love, I am wearing my panties.”

Averi- “No you aren’t mommy. Why did you take them off?”

Clearly I look like I have totally taken off ALL of my clothing and am trying to cover up the fact that my sweet little girl is announcing it to the entire dressing room when in fact I NEVER took my panties off!!! She’s so funny, right!

The replacement dress...awful pictures, but they really are cute!

It's eggplant, empire waist and full length. Love it!


Perfect green, strapless and knee length!
I guess I'm ready for a summer night out now!:)

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

And the winner is...

This is for all 4 of my voters! Yes, that comment is to the millions of other blog readers I have that did not vote!

Well, I was torn, and I waited hoping the the votes would pour in and the decision would be clear. And this is how the votes fell…

Bag 1-3
Bag 2-2
Bag 3-1
Bag 4-0
Bag 5-1
Bag 6-0
Added Later
Bag 7-0
Bag 8-1
And I went with the winner.

Bag 1 is on its way to being mine! Oh I hope the delivery man comes soon! I can’t wait!

Bags 2 and 4 sold. All bags except the added ones were from Etsy. They were from Ebay. And Shelli did send me a few pics to consider too. Etsy is a great place to find vintage stuff. BUT since I really wanted to pay like $4 for a bag like I found at the garage sale, I have been frequenting thrift shops and garage sales. It is fun! And a bit addicting, so if I start posting finds like crazy, please tell me to STOP! This is one of my favorite finds…

A great addition to brighten the kitchen and add a bit of COLOR!

I have some new projects I am working on with some other finds. Can’t wait to show them to you soon!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Snag that Bag

As I mentioned before, I passed over a great yellow purse at a garage sale about a month ago. But I still really, really want one. I don't need one...not at all really. But I have a bit of money that I could snag one with. So, the one I saw was a medium to large size bag with some pockets, etc. But it is GONE...right, Emilee, it is GONE! So, these are a few options. I am not giving you prices in the initial voting, but do tell, which yellow purse would make your day brighter? (your meaning mine of course, because if i discovered one of you thought, that is a cute purse, i think i'll snag it...oh man oh man! not a good day...point taken. :) But I would love your vote!Numero Uno

Number 2

Three Three Three

Four

High Five
Blast for the Last...#6

Can't wait to hear from you!

Monday, May 25, 2009

Weekend Update by Emilee Little

Friday night was GIRLS NIGHT!!! I rarely leave my little lady, so I was thankful when she came up with the idea to stay at her Nammy's house on Friday. (even though she was going there anyway) But it was so fun to hang out with my lady friends! We started the night at Flips. My neighbor is a waitress there and so kindly comped my Stella! The Italian Nachos were fabulous, but not so much the bruchetta. Still a fun time!

Then we went to Burlington...random. But at dinner I was talking about how I have been mad at myself for 3 weeks because I went to this garage sale around the corner because they had some super cute chairs out. I realized, if I bring those chairs home, David might think I am truly a crazed pack rat. So Averi and I browsed a bit. Saw this yellow purse. Liked it. Loved it. Passed it up. Realized I had made a big mistake. Went back, and it was GONE! So, inspired by my grief, we went to find a yellow purse. Nothing! But I did get some new sunglasses! I suck at shopping alone, so after 20 "nos", we found a "yes".

We ended the night at Cuppies and Joe. Great place. I had a Caramel Latte and Bangarang. Delicious!

Here we are...

This is little Addie laughing! So cute!


Saturday...
Girls came over for breakfast. Yummy waffles and berries and sausage balls and bacon....Still full! We enjoyed the great weather, but the dang misquitos! I hate them and they still love me!

Watched Because I said So while the kiddos napped! Great movie!

Went to Daisy Exchange. Wish I could get passed my foot thing because they have cute shoes, but used shoes are just a bit gross to me.

Enjoyed the sand park...what a wonderful place.

Finished with tacos!

One more day to this weekend makes me so so happy. They should always be like this!

The morning project...


What do you think??? Ave has a breaker box above her bed, so this will cover it up. It has been black for a while now, so we added a little dancer. She had to be abstract because I don't really know how to paint, and the swishes are with glitter paint. Looks better in person. Fun!

Shopped a bit. As soon as my napper wakes we are off to the Paseo Arts Festival and to celebrate my sisters b-day!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Sooo HOT!

My coffee this morning was SOOO HOT! AND I didn't have to boil water prior to making it! A true miracle. You see, I am a real thrifty lady, so for the past month I have been boiling water in my tea kettle and putting it into my coffee maker to make hot coffee because my coffee maker that I have had for 5 years has quit on me!:( But coffee makers aren't cheap. Occasionally you might luck on to a clearance one otherwise you are looking at $70 and up for a quality machine. And having to spend this much is not something that makes me happy. BUT a while back we did luck on to a great Delonghi that we got for David. And since he is not in an office all day, he said he no longer needs coffee to wake him up in the mornings. (No matter where I work, I will always need and want coffee in the morning.) So...I now have his coffee maker, and I drank some really HOT coffee today and it was amazing.So thankful!

Averi does like coffee, but she is not really allowed to drink drink coffee at this point. So, she started her Friday off with a bowl of okra. That's right. Okra. She loves it. I figure it is just a good for her as most breakfast foods, so I let her eat okra for breakfast today.


As she happily stares at her okra! It must be good!
And we both say...We hope your Friday morning was as good as ours!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Who Would Have Thought

She LOVED her new school!!! She made some new friends when we took her in, and she didn't even cry when I headed across the street to work. When I picked her up she couldn't stop talking about how much fun she had, her new teachers, new friends, and how it was "really great" and everyone was "really nice" and how Nammy "really" should come meet her new friends sometime soon. She really likes to use the word "really" right now and she sounds so old!

We went to Barnes and Noble in celebration. Since it is right by my office and her new school it will be tricky to not go there every day. She loves it, and well...so do I.

Last night we began again. We began the family journey we love...The Bachlorette! We love Jillian and can't wait to see what happens. We know it is corny and faulty and fake, but we love love and we love The Bachlorette! So far we like Kiptyn, weird name though...we'll see!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Weekend Update by Emilee Little

Averi is getting better every day. Weird parts: #1 Her voice sounds different. It is not as muffled, a bit high pitched, and cute as can be! #2She doesn't snore. I lay in her floor at night while she falls asleep because I am a sucker, and I used to know I could leave the room because I would hear this loud, burly, adult-sized snore. Now I'm not sure what I will do because it has left us! I am grateful of course, but on some selfish level that snore was useful. #3 The bad breath is not gone yet! Hopeful it will continue to get better!

This weekend we spent just taking it easy. Ave had a few melt downs in an effort to maintain this fast she has chosen. But all in all, we had fun.


Ave and Daddy in playing bag head after a trip to the grocery store.


The yummy margarita pizza with homemade dough we devoured.

And last but not least, the best chocolate cake I have ever eaten. Made from scratch. Moist and delightfully delicious!

The combo of pizza and cake made for a perfect Saturday night!

Tomorrow is Ave's big day! She starts a new school! She is excited and we have been reading The Kissing Hand, which is a MUST read! So, anticipate the update...

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Final Day

Today was Ave's last day at home recovering. Tomorrow I am headed back to the office and she is going to Grandad's. So, this afternoon we had a little play date with Layne at "The Sand Park". It was nice to be outside and feel some sunshine! Hopefully there is more of that to come.





Monday, May 11, 2009

On The Mend

Recovery has been a bit harder than I expected. She did so good in the hospital it was a bit of shock to see her having a hard time with pain, taking long long naps, running fever, and yuck, yuck, YUCK! I never thought I would see the day that she would refuse ice cream or popsicles but for the first bit she has not wanted anything. The bad breath is relentless! So, we are snuggling, watching lots of Kipper :), and reading There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly a few times each day! I am loving my time with her, but I am ready for her energy, smiles, and appetite to return. We did see a brief glimpse of a smile at The Village Fair when we stopped by.

Mother's Day was still sweet! Averi and I snuggled up on the couch while Daddy-O made us scrambled eggs and bacon. AND the big deal is that Averi ate them!!! I was thrilled. They gave me a sweet card and dress. We went for lunch at my grandparents and then back for some time at home! It was a great day!

The scrambled eggs and bacon went over so well that David made her some this morning before he went off to work. He even put them in this cute little face design.

However, her lack of appetite, sore throat, mixed with a little inherent stubbornness resulted in a refusal to eat them! Hopefully soon we will be on our way to big meals again soon!

Friday, May 8, 2009

She was Brave

Thursday came! And this time the doctor showed up. We went back and got little Ave into her tiny little gown. They even pushed her in a mini-wheelchair! The whole time she would say..."just like Franklin did..." When they took her back to surgery, she didn't even cry! I was so amazed. And this really helped Mommy out because then I didn't cry either. Everything went well. The recovery room was rough to see her with cords and they bang up her little face with tape. But she is a trooper and by noon she was eating and ready for the play room at the hospital. My friend Carl had told me his daughter had awful breath after her tonsillectomy, and even that could not prepare me for this atrocious smell. WOW! And it can last for 3 weeks! We endured our night in a shared hospital bed...something I do not recommend. And now we are headed home for rest and recovery!

Painting in our oh so comfy hospital bed!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Food Poisoning

No all of the Little family is fine. BUT Averi's doctor got food poisoning. We discovered this as we finished the admitting process at the hospital. Insane! We went out for a final family dinner. We read Franklin Goes to the Hospital for what we thought was the last time. We checked out loads of books and movies for our recovery time at home. And instead we went to breakfast and back to work. Thursday will come soon enough...

Friday, May 1, 2009

May I Just Say

That it is supposed to be April showers bring May flowers, but instead the showers or down pours are happening in May. We opted out of our show this weekend due to chilly weather and RAIN! The cozy inside days are nice though. And the rain is making my veggies grow!!! Next week is a big week! Averi's last day at Chapel Hill, the school she has been at since she was a wee little one, is Monday. She is getting her tonsils out Tuesday! WOW!!! I'm not sure I'm ready for this...but here we come.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

An Overview of April

To catch up to present day I must lump April into one post. In my head I am really good at this blog thing. I think of quirky little things to say regarding my day to day happenings. If only my thoughts could be magically transcribed...well, maybe not all of them! So, APRIL!!!

The garden disaster was recovered by my thoughtful mother who delivered a flat of begonias to my office on my birthday! They are now planted at The Little House along with a few other plants that she gave me! And my heart is happy again that I get to watch the beauty of SPRING as He unfolds it! Really it is amazing and I learn so so much about life and God from the garden.

I got new tires, went on a retreat, did my taxes, turned 27, put lots of bows in Ave's hair, celebrated some family birthdays, hunted eggs in the rain, parted with my favorite shoes, learned Averi would soon lose her tonsils, got a sales tax permit, planted a vegetable garden, went to the OKC Arts Festival , got a new camera, and that was April. :)

Night at the Arts Festival

Lady Bug Dress from Nammy

Good-Bye :(

These were really hard to part with. My London shoes from 4 years ago! But I love them!!! loved :(

Quite a crew!

loves to laugh

Finally a smile in her Easter dress. She is camera stubborn lately.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Carnival Come Rain or Shine

Yes, it snowed this weekend and consequently our Backyard Carnival Bash has moved indoors. I am in the very core of me a procrastinator, so after our show yesterday, I BEGAN getting all the carnival games and prizes together, as well as all the party food, cleaning my house, etc., etc. And well in the midst of all the stress I forgot how to properly flip a cake and at approximately 12:30 I crumbled Averi's cake in a matter of minutes. Yes, the party was to start at 3pm. And after a few profane words left my mouth, David ran to the store and saved the day! See cake and party pics below!


Concession help from my sweet cousin Brandye and a real popcorn machine thanks to Megan!


The goodies! My sister thought the cake was a flag...nice huh!

Birthday wishes and PRESENTS!!!

This is Preston. Ave says he's her boyfriend!

My oldest nephew had a little fun with face paint. He went across the street and said trick or treat with this face for $1.00! Got candy too!

Pin the Tail on the Donkey

Baylor Grace decided to paint her own face!

Face Painting and the Duck Pond were the biggest hits!

Decorating prize bags with clown noses!

Bean Bag Toss FUN!!!

She looks pretty excited about fishing!


Aren't they cuties!

FUN to be 3!!!