If you loooove chalkboard paint like I loooove chalkboard paint, then you want to read my Scottsdale Moms Blog post today. Three fun ways to use the stuff – and be sure to register for Mom’s Night Out next week!
http://www.scottsdalemomsblog.com/2012/05/04/chalk-it-up-3-ways-to-use-chalkboard-paint/
If you have kids at school, an overly excited social committee at work or one too many soccer tournaments to count, then you need Sign Up Genius.
I was introduced to this lovely website by the more experienced room moms at Baylor’s school. It’s a virtual sign up sheet – you can add not only items, but dates and times of what you would like people to bring . Or dates, times and activities to volunteer for. The best part (in my book) is when you sign up for something, it emails you a confirmation and then a reminder 2 days before the event. In the world of constant snack days, parties, teacher appreciation week and ice cream socials, this is a life saver. Not to mention neat, easy to use an accessible at all times of the day rather than just at the craziness that is pick up and drop off.
So next time you’re in charge of an event (or even if you’re not in charge, make whoever is use this!) check out the site and see how quickly those much needed items get checked off your list!
Today’s post is brought to you by the one and only Noni. That’s right, Big Jude, my mom is the guest blogger today. She didn’t intend it, but when she sent me the following email, I knew it was perfect fodder for The Goon Room. So grab a drink and toast the 55+ crowd and their salute to the Iphone. Her quote about what kind of Iphone she has is my favorite – enjoy and thanks Nonester!
Like most Phoenicians do, I dread summer time in Arizona all winter long. I hate the thought of the air conditioner running non stop only cooling the house to 81 degrees and yet getting a $400 electricity bill. I loath having to cool the car down after leaving the grocery store to avoid giving Bay and myself third degree seat belt burns. I despise watching my lovely garden wither and die despite numerous shade devices, water and love.
But last weekend, it hit me…I kind of do love summer. Yes the heat is horrible, especially in August and September when you know the cool weather is so close, but there are some great parts about summer around here:
~the smell of Water Babies sunscreen and chlorine
~tan skin and swimming
~blueberries, strawberries, watermelon and summer salads
~getting into the great restaurants because everyone else has skipped town
~summer vacation: Montana! San Diego! Flagstaff!
~Arnold Palmers
~this summer I’ll have to do without delicious margaritas, but a girl can dream
~Baylor’s birthday, my birthday (hello 3-0!) and our anniversary (what’s the 7th anniversary gift? sunscreen?)
~4th of July fireworks, patriotic music and bbq
~baseball
~coming up with ridiculous ways to enjoy being outside sans pool – like rigging a hose to the top of the slide and putting a wading pool at the bottom under an umbrella and a mister
Sure all these things exist year round, but there’s something so right about enjoying them in 110 degrees that makes them even better than any other time of year. Maybe it’s the heat that has warped my brain, but at least I am enjoying the results.
I think *no jinx* I might be through the morning sickness business. I say this because over the last week I’ve stopped being totally repulsed by food and even, dare I say, started to get hungry for things besides turkey sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls. That said, I got a huge hankering for sweet potatoes…and black beans. A quick trip to my Pinterest “YUM” page and I found a recipe for sweet potato and black bean enchiladas. I added the ingredients to my grocery list and headed out the door.
While I was mixing, I started getting second thoughts. Who they hell thought sweet potatoes belonged in enchiladas?? But I was already knee deep in the recipe and thought we could have quesadillas if it turned out as wrong as it sounded.
To my, and PW’s surprise, they were DELICIOUS! I put my own spin on the recipe by adding some frozen corn – a yummy addition if I do say so myself. I love how easy this is since most of the ingredients will last for a few weeks in the fridge and pantry making it a “go to” meal since it won’t require a trip to the store for fresh stuff. Also, I think it would freeze nicely AND would be a nice gift recipe – you know, when someone has a baby, is sick or just needs some home cooked food!
Small corn tortillas at room temperature (so they break less)
1 large sweet potato
1 can of black beans – I like Bush’s
1 small jar of salsa – I used Newman’s Own
1 can of red enchilada sauce – I used Hatch
1 small bag of frozen corn
Mexican shreded cheese
Salt and pepper
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Peel and cube the sweet potato into bite sized pieces. Put into steamer basket and cook until soft – about 15 minutes.
3. Drain can of black beans and pour into a large bowl. Add cooked sweet potato and about 3/4 of the jar of salsa. Mix in about half the bag of frozen corn. Add several good shakes of salt and a little pepper. Stir until combined.
4. Using a greased baking dish – take tortilla, spoon in mixture, roll and place seam side down in dish. Don’t panic if they break or spill, just squish them together. Repeat, lining them up side by side until the dish is full.
5. Pour can of sauce over the top of the tortillas so that it’s evenly distributed. Cover top completely with cheese.
6. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the top is getting crispy. Serve with a big dallop of sour cream.
*this is where a picture would be…but since I thought they were going to be crappy, I didn’t take one! Oh well, use your imagination 😉
I’ve been a step-aunt for several years now, but last Thursday I became a full fledged aunt when Mr. Mason finally made his entrance into the world! At 7lbs, 19 inches and just a smattering of hair, he really is cute!
And thankfully his mother was able to talk his father out of naming him Vercingetorix. Not kidding. That was on the table. Gary finally relented and said that it would be up to Ali to explain to him some day why his name isn’t as cool as it could have been. Ali was happy to take on that responsibility knowing that Mason would probably endlessly thank her for talking him out of it.
We had a great Easter filled with fun and family. Smarty pants B, upon discovering the bunny balloon she had been eyeing for weeks at the grocery announced “the Easter Bunny shop at Safeway too!!”.
A little baffled by the chick that makes cheeping sounds when you hold it
After mass we headed to my mom’s house for brunch. It was amazing as always and included lots of running on the golf course.
Zoe and B sharing some bubbles – well, in theory anyway
Big kids, little kids and the big kids at heart playing catch
After a little spillage in her dress, she changed into one of Noni’s shirts (which she spilled on) and then enjoyed her gardening themed Easter gift from her buddy Joyce.
The event is being held on Thursday, May 10 from 7:00PM to 9:00PM at the Ice Den in North Scottsdale. Each ticket is a $10 value and includes:
:: a glass of wine ::
:: delicious snacks ::
:: raffle entry & chance to win spectacular giveaways ::
If you’ve not been to a Mom’s Night Out event before, you’re in for a treat! Not only is it a great excuse to get out of the house / work early and enjoy a glass of wine with friends, but the giveaways are AMAZING. SMB draws some really fantastic sponsors like Boon, Giggle Boutique, Rodan and Fields and lots more. All you have to do is sit back, enjoy and wait to win!
Here’s how you enter: comment below on why you need a mom’s night out. Potty training not going well? Work kicking your booty? Family making you bonkers? Tell me all about it! I’ll randomly choose a winner tonight at 10pm and announce the winner on tomorrow’s post. So get writing and good luck!
If you’re interested in purchasing tickets, send me a message and I’ll let you in on the early “friends only” link!!
This picture is my happy place. Happy girl reading a book on our front patio filled with flowers.
Check out my post today on Scottsdale Moms Blog – fun and creative ways to egg hunt with the littles and the bigs!
The Goon Room 