Recipe From The Kitchen..

Freda' s Sausage Breakfast Casserole

This is a recipe that I just had to share. It is one of my favorite breakfast casseroles. I got this recipe from my wonderful mother-in-law, Freda.


Will and Thomas with their mom, Freda.

 Before her passing in 2007, she gave me all her favorite recipes and cookbooks. This is one that she always made for Will and his brother growing up. We have continued to make it in our home and have been known to give this out to our friends who just had little ones...

                                            Recipe:

Serves 6-8                                            Bake 350 degrees: 1 Hour
Preparation: 30 Minutes

1 pound mild, sausage, browned,            1 cup of grated sharp Cheddar cheese

   drained and cooked                             1 teaspoon salt

8 eggs                                                   1 teaspoon pepper

2 cups of milk                                        1 teaspoon dry mustard

6 slices of wheat bread

Here are photos to help you along:

First, cook the sausage until brown. Next, drain the meat and set aside to cool.

 

Layer a 9 x13" pan with wheat bread ( 6 slices)

 

 

 

Mix together 8 eggs, salt, pepper, dry mustard and sausge. Next, pour mixture evenly into the baking dish.

Cover with foil and store in the refigerator over night.

Next morning, bake at 350 for 30 minutes covered with foil then 15 minutes uncovered.

Now serve and enjoy!

Hope your family loved it as much as ours!

Weight Loss Confessions

Well, I must confess that I have not lost any weight, since I joined back to Gold's Gym . When I signed up for a membership I thought that I would lose all my weight immediately. ( Click here for post on joining the gym) 

Well, that didn't happen..what did was my weight gain..Now let me explain...

 Right after, I made my weight loss goal we had a lot of commitments that involved good food and wine. Like my father-in-law's wedding weekend and going to the beach with my parents. So, I gained a little weight both those weeks.  However, now it is time to get serious..

Rocky always motivates me :)

For one week, I have been to the gym 3 times and have walked Lilly twice. I have decided to  completely change my program. Will and I are now going to be on the Weight Watcher Points diet. I did this diet while in college and lost about 15 pounds , so I decided to try it again. I even bought the books to track my points and a weight watcher cookbook. So, I should be losing it in no time :)



Complete 2012 Weight Watcher Essential Books



I hoping this cookbook makes me forget I am on  a diet :/

 The main reason I really like this diet is because you can still eat what you want,
and eat out. Everything is about portion control. It really does amaze me how many points are in my favorite foods,such as Krispy Kreme glaze doughnuts which has
25 points. Well I am only allowed 30,so I don't think it would be wise to eat one!

This sign is my enemy!

Currently, we have 25 days until Will and I are in Clearwater, Florida with Will's company. So the

                                                          heat is on...

                             Weight Loss : Goal 10 Pounds

Things Change...

This week has been a bitter sweet one... It was the first week of school!
 

For the last 6 years, I have had the pleasure of teaching 10th grade World History at one of the best high schools in the state of Virginia. As you know, I have decided to take a break from teaching and to stay-at-home with Harper while selling for my father-in-laws marketing business.



This is the high school where I taught history the last 6 years.

Tuesday morning, when I heard the bus outside I got a little sad... Even though , I would never want to change my situation I just felt emptiness with not being in my classroom with my new students. Teaching was something that I know I will always have a passion for. It is so meaningful to have a career that you see the real benefit when the student succeeds.



Nothing like watching your students graduate

Funny thing, that sadness was quickly diminished when I heard a cry from the nursery and looking up at me is the most beautiful 15 pound, blue eyed girl. It is so amazing how one little person can change your life forever. I really am so blessed that I am the one that gets to stay-at-home with Harper and witness all of her changes.



Trying to crawl

When I found out I was pregnant, Will and I made the decision that I would take a break from teaching to stay-at-home. With us not having family near and Will always traveling for work we decided that was the best choice. I also knew I could not do both jobs great if I had to teach all day l and then come home to be mom for the evening. I am the kind of person that when I commit to the job I have to put 110% into it.  Right now, my top priority is being the best mom for Harper. Maybe one day , when my kids are older I will venture back into teaching..We will see what my future holds :) As for now, I am enjoying every minute I have with her!
 

 

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL!!

Its that time of year again...Football Season
 

I love this time of year! Not just for the football but what it brings with it.. greatt food,  drinks and cheering on your favorite team..

Love football season!

As you know , Will and I are die hard Washington Redskin fans. Growing up in the 80s, made it so easy to be a Skins fan because they were the golden days.. You know when they had players such as Art Monk, Jon Riggins and were Super Bowl Champs '82, '87 and '91. Those were good times..

Love to see one of these next January :)

Now days, it is hard being a true Redskin fan...However, Will and I have never stopped cheering on our team. We have even added one more fan..

HTTR

This year, we have a lot of hope in our Skins..We have the #2 Draft Pick... Robert Griffin or RGIII...We are really hoping that he brings our skins back..

Bring HOPE back to the nations capital..

Even though this game does not count it still be fun to watch the challenge between the first two drafts picks, Griffin and Luck.


Luck vs. Griffin in Washington

**Score Update***

Redskins 30- Colts 7

 

Myrtle Beach Days.. Round 2

We decided to finish our summer off the right way...in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Myrtle Beach

On Friday August 10, my parents and brother picked Harper and I up for vacation. My town is on the way so my parents decided to pick us up , since Will had to work all week. Even though Harper missed her dad we still had lots of fun with her grandparents and uncle Bryan.

Harper on the way to Myrtle Beach

We all really had a great time on the trip. The photos below captured the best shots of the week..As you can tell our main focus was Harper...

She loved wearing these plastic sunglasses.

Night on the town in Myrtle

Dressed and ready for shopping with Pops and Grammy

Harper posing for the camera..Love her swimsuit and ocean water



Harper on her last night in Myrtle in her Master's dress

 

 

It was a perfect week of sun, sand, good food, wine and company..Here's to summer 2012



Summer Days...

The month of August has been very busy but fun!

 On August 4, Will's dad, Tom married to his girlfriend of two years, Phyllis. We had a great time at the wedding and spending time with both of our families. The wedding weekend began on Thursday evening with my family at a local Japanese restaurant, Kabuki.

We surprised Will with a "Happy Birthday" cupcake. even though it wasnt his big day :)//

 As you can see , we were able to get some professional photos of Harper done at the wedding. She really enjoyed all the attention :)

 

The next week, we experienced one of our firsts with Harper, staying overnight night with her grandparents.  With Will being in North Carolina for work and me travelling to Harrisburg, PA for a sales meeting , my parents were kind enough to watch her for the night.


Sweet Potato Face!

 I admit I had a little breakdown right before I was to leave Harper with my parents. I was not worried whether my parents could handle her, instead it was more me feeling bad about leaving Harper without her mom. ( I know, I think I may be a little attached).  However, my parents quickly said their goodbyes and before I knew it I was fine.  Of course , I did have a little help..

Love Them!

   The next morning, I immediately called my parents to check on Harper. They said that she was great the whole night and they enjoyed their time with her. As for me, I think that I actually slept for a whole 8 hours without waking up once.  I was also able to get a really nice first order from a railroad company. So, I think this first for our family was a good one. 

   I will have to say, that growing up my parents always went away without us kids for a "parents weekend/ week." I now understand as a parent that there are times when you need to just get away with your spouse and or alone and rest up. As a child, I always loved those times with my grandparents and I will always treasure the memories I have with them.

Next ..Myrtle Beach Round 2...

Things I Said I Would Never Do As A Mom

Since , becoming a mom I have caught myself time after time doing things that I thought I would never do , but am totally doing..So, never say never!

Here is what I thought I would never do:

1. Owning a Mini-Van- This was something that I ALWAYS said I would never do. However, that quickly changed when I realized how much stuff a baby needs when traveling. Plus, when we travel we bring Lilly, her crate, and both our golf clubs. The first time we traveled with Harper we had no extra room in my 4runner. So, we decided to explore our options and chose the Toyota Sienna. Hey, do not hate on the minivan until you try it. I promise you will fall in love with the automatic doors/ trunk, sunroof, and 20 inch TV.

2. Making my own baby food- This is something I never thought I would do. See, I am all about buying items to make my life easier and to me I thought this seemed so impractical. I mean, who has time to make baby food :). However, when I received the Baby Bullet as a gift, I realized that it was pretty neat. It is cheap and easy to use. For instance, one whole sweet potato last a week and half and only takes 5 minutes to make. So, I think I am going to keep making my own until it becomes a hassle.

3. Having Harper out past her bedtime-We take Harper everywhere with us. Mostly because we do not live near any of our family and at 5 months I am not comfortable with Harper being watched by some of my old students. So, we have decided to just take her out with us meaning dinner. Normally, she is always sound asleep so she is unaware we are out but I do sometimes get this vibe that others do not approve that we have her out so late (meaning until 10 ). I used to judge those parents and now I completely understand.

4. Taking Harper to fancy restaurants. I always used to say how annoying it is that parents bring their babies to an upscale resturants . However, since having Harper she has been to many of those restaurants where children are not really wanted. The nice thing is that at Harper's age most people do not even notice her , since she is always asleep or quiet.

5. Having Harper sleep in our room (in her co-sleeper).  I always was very opinionated over parents having their children in their room past 1 month. That too changed when I had Harper. I realized that it is not as easy as you think. Personally, I never had a hard time (emotionally) with Harper being moved to her crib it was just me being lazy. It is so much easier to have her in the co-sleeper , so if she needed to be feed all I had to do was turn over and feed her. Now that she is sleeping until early morning hours it is not as hard. She is currently sleeping half in our room and half in her's. Hopefully, when all our summer travels end we will establish a better routine.

6. Leave the house without a shower or putting makeup on. This is something that I NEVER thought I would do. I am not a vain person , but I do like to look decent before leaving the house. Well, that has changed a little. Now days, I catch myself grabbing a baseball cap and my workout clothes to go to  run errands. I sometimes even realize after I have been out all day that I had milk stains on my shirt from where Harper spit up.

7.  Treating a trip to the grocery store like its a night out on the town. Yes, going alone to the store has become something that I have really started to enjoy. Instead of rushing through the aisles I find myself actually reading labels and taking my time.

8. Talk about gas and poop. I was always raised to not say these two words because they were not "lady" like. However, that went out the window the minute I had Harper. Anytime she has an upset stomach everyone is always talking about gas and what not.

I am sure that I will have many more things to add to this list as time goes on but as for now these are the main things I thought I would never do!! Boy was I wrong :)