My Name is Heidi.....

Soooooo.....

I have a problem.

My name is Heidi, and I'm a shoe-a-holic.

And now...

Not only am I addicted to buying shoes for my own feet.....

I am passing this horrible disease down to my daughter.

It all started with the pink tennis shoes that are the header of my blog (aren't they adorable!), well now I can't stop!  She has only been walking for 2 months.....

and still....every time I walk past the little girl shoe section...

I stop...

and buy.....

And Madeline is no help....

When we are shopping she will sit down in the middle of the store to try on the next pair.

Together we are TROUBLE.

Remember my trip to Minnesota....

SERIOUSLY.

What is wrong with me!

I must be stopped.

Immediately.

........On a side note....Has anyone happen to see the new Chinese Laundry tall boots in taupe....they are going to be HUGE this Fall season.... I'm just saying...if you need boots...for fall.... 



A nice little Saturday...Creekside style

Before I start posting photos of my Saturday..... Let me start with a little information before you see my daughters poor little face....

If you read my last post, you would know that My Brittany had the kids for the evening.  Here is a photo of Madeline the next morning on the car ride to school.

Madeline has her first black eye.

The first words out of Brit's mouth when she dropped the kids off were

"Please don't blog about this!"

:)

Poor Brit.

 Maddie took a spill, hit the corner of a table. And now has a shiner. 

(on a another note-  under that shiner are bite marks.....she also was bit at school by one of the boys....this just isn't Maddie's week!)

So please disregard my daughters beat up face.  

Now onto our Saturday.....

This weekend is the Annual Walnut Festival in my hometown of Walnut Creek.

This was Jack and Madeline's first trip to the festival.

Jack was in heaven.  He could not get to the rides fast enough.

Daddy felt that Jack was old enough for some big boy rides....

I was hesitant...

But..

He LOVED it!

Maddie and I waited while the boys had their fun

And then it was Maddie's turn!

Daddy's such a good sport!

(I love this picture so much....My tough husband and his little girl...If his Marine buddies could see him now.....)

Jack thought the port-a-potties were an attraction all on their own:

Every time we passed one...he suddenly had to go to the bathroom....

Jack was definitely not ready for his fun to end...

He didn't know that Skip's was in his future....

A Treat

for

Everyone.

They had fun playing games....

(Jack was very patient with his sister)

Maddie even climbed into the tunnel all by herself!

While we were there we had a few surprises:

Uncle Ben and Aunt Brit met us for some cheesy goodness

and just as we were finishing...

Laura and Connor showed up!

You just never know who you'll run into on a warm Walnut Creek night....

I love this town.

Don't mess with my ME time....

I remember when the thought of me alone in an empty house was frightening.  Actually...come to think of it...I used to hate to do anything alone....

I mean..Hey!- I used to bring Gram to my dentist appointments and make her sit in the room, so I wasn't alone with the scary dentist.....

And we're not talking when I was kid...this was within this decade.

However....

This Mother of two needs some "ME" time.

The empty house is no longer a scary place.  I have Trigger. He will protect me.  Bring on the emptiness....

You can imagine my excitement yesterday, when My Brittney told me she would pick up the kids from daycare and take them so I could have an evening all to myself. (I would call her my Brothers Girlfriend, or soon to be Wife, or savior of all saviors...but to make it easy, I call her My Brittany)

I came home early from work with the excitement of some much needed time to myself.  I called Clay to see his estimated time of arrival (not only was it "Me" time, it was much needed Clay AND Me time-which I must say I was looking forward to just as much). 

It was 4. He hadn't left the office yet. That gave me an hour.  ONE HOUR.  For just Me.  I was so excited!

...and then I got caught up in Mom duties..

I should pick this up, this needs cleaning, I should start a load of laundry, I should work on this...I need to open this mail, I should pay this bill.....

I stopped mid envelope.

Nope.  Not today.  Me time begins NOW.

I was in the kitchen, making a snack of pickles and the kids chicken nuggets. (That's right. Me time. You hush. My time. My snack.)

The door opened.

My heart sank.  How could it be? It was only 4:20....

I heard my brothers voice. "Heid?... You home??"

Part of me wanted to hide the nuggets...the other part of me was like...F-it.

"Ya-in the kitchen.."

"Hey! What's up!"  He said with a smile noticing my nuggets.

Let me just say....I love my brothers. All of them. And don't get me wrong...I love to spend time with them...but since Mom moved away, I'm the new Hub.  All day, everyday.  I can't really complain.  The kids get to see their Uncles all the time....and they ADORE their Uncles...but this was MY time.  My teeny, tiny bit of time today that I NEED.

Without missing a beat...I said....

"Remember last night when you were here, and Brit said she would take the kids, and I said Oh Goodie! I get some Me time??"

"Ya..." totally clueless....then you could see the light bulb turn on.... "Oh!...Sorry...Want me to leave?"

Well....then I felt awful.  I didn't want him to leave....but "Me" time was almost gone....and no pickles had been consumed....No Ina had been watched.....

"No....I'm kidding...It's fine..." I said and sat down with my snack.

"I'm just here for a second...I'm going right now...I'll just grab a soda...." And then he sat on the couch.....

And commented on my snack...and Ina.....and everything else in the world today.....

and then "Me" time was officially over......

Oh Well....

On the plus side...it's early still...and Clay is now home which means Clay and Heidi time is about to start! 

And that is much much MUCH better than Pickles and Ina.

For sure.

No rest for the weary....

How is it I am more tired at the start of my week than I am at the end of my week?  All week I look forward to Friday night....and before I know it Monday is here again.  Weekends are a blur these days.  And with our current schedules, the weekends we spend as a family are few and far between.  This weekend was one dedicated to just us. All weekend.

And I'm pooped.

Isn't that awful?  I am so exhausted. Having two kids and a husband is hard work!  I know, I know, My Mom had 4 kids, my Gram had 5 kids, my close friends have 3 kids....blah, blah, blah.  Fine.  I admit it. I'm a wimp, a total and complete whiny baby...who clearly needs a nap.

That being said...with every moment of exhaustion, comes great joy.

Example one:

Maddie is now tall enough to reach places she has never been able to reach before.  Today, I heard her saying Mama, Mama....again and again....I didn't turn immediately because I was preoccupied with the other one who just wants to help me make dinner... "Jack don't touch that knife, Jack stop eating all the olives, Jack don't touch the cheese grater...."  I turned my head, and Madeline had my full soda off the table and she was holding it above her head. She saw that she now had my full and complete attention, I lunged to grab the can, and was too slow.  She turned it over, all over herself, the floor and her brand new outfit. 

Diet Orange soda. Everywhere.

As proud as could be she hands the soda can to me with a huge smile and says "Tank Too".

How can you yell?  Thank you? She kills me....

She also likes to get into everything that is Moms.  She likes to try on my shoes, and type on the computer and talk on the phone.

Today I was doing my normal, run around the house like a mad woman looking for everything you need before you leave routine....

I couldn't find the diaper bag....

No need to fear.  Maddie had it all under control and was heading for the door.....

Example 2:

Jack was into EVERYTHING today. I mean everything. Every button we had, he pushed it.  It's like his need for attention was on overload.  As we were putting all the groceries away today. He HAD to help.  Help unload the car, help put the groceries away, he wanted to eat everything we purchased right at that moment.  I had my back turned to the pantry as I was unloading bags.  CRASH.  4 cans hit the floor.

"Jack! What are you doing?"

"I-I was just looking at the colors on the olive can....I'm sorry...."

Poor Jack. 

I felt awful.  All he wants to do is help and his Mother has no patience....

Example 3:

At the end of the night tonight I was upstairs relaxing....I could hear Jack bouncing up the stairs.  It didn't take him long to find me.

He had a disguise on....

"Are you a Mummy?"

"No..." He whispered.  " I'm a Ninja"

It was everything in me to not laugh. 

"Oh! Pretty cool buddy!"

He immediately ran out of the room and back down the stairs "She thinks it's cool Dad!"

On a side note...for my Mother of the Year award....

This is the only way we could do our grocery shopping today in peace:

That's right.

Daddy gets the cart with the two kids and the two happy meals....

Mom gets the cart with the groceries.

Don't hate.

You do what you gotta do.

So sad to see the weekend go.....so sad to see the week begin.....

Maybe I'll rest when I'm 40......

Family Fun Night!

Tuesday nights are all you can eat pizza at our local Round Table.  Mom and Dad were down visiting and we all went together. 

There are puzzles, and games, and face painting, and balloons, and chaos and screaming children, and of course, pizza.

Jack LOVES Family fun night at "Pizza Land" (his special name for Round Table).

We let him roam around and make friends with the other kids, and because my Mom was there, he had an endless supply of quarters.  One for each kiss he gives her.  He is quite eager to kiss that cheek....over and over again.....and she gladly keeps shelling out those quarters....

Tonight, Jack was found at the Face Painting table.  It was the longest I have ever seen him sit in one place.

I explained to Jack, that it was perfectly fine to have our face painted, but that we would still be taking a bath and washing our face before bed.

Jack was devastated by this news.

"BUT MOOOOOOM! It looks so AWESOME!"

He was right....as I looked in my rear view mirror on my way home at this little face......

It was SO Awesome.

Madeline starts the long haul of education.

Today was Madeline's first day of school. Currently it will be daycare, but it will turn into her pre-school.  Jack has been there for a year and a half and has done very well.  For months now, when I drop Jack off, I bring Maddie in to get familiar with the facility and the other kids.  9 times out of 10 I leave carrying her under my arm, kicking and screaming because she wants to stay.   So I knew today being her first day, there would be no clutching of my leg or crying when I leave.

Jack is up at the lake with my Mom having a little Oma and Opa time, so it was just the two of us this morning.  I thought she might be a little shy without Jack......but no...She RAN from the car to the door:

She immediately sat down.  Ready to start her day.

I wish I had a better picture of her and her teacher, but Maddie has not been camera friendly lately...

Ms. Benu.  We LOVE her!

(please note, Maddie pulling the bow from her head-she's awesome)

I know, it's just a matter of time until I'm uploading the first day of high school...like someone else I know...

Awwww...Laura.....

Family Secrets Revealed!

Kind of....

My Aunt Iva is in town for two weeks from Georgia, and we had a feast last night in honor of her arrival. 

I was in charge of making my famous enchiladas and taco salad.

When I was first married, my Aunt Kathy taught me how to make the most killer enchiladas.  It was the first dinner I made for Clay when we were married.  And pretty much the only meal I had truly perfected until the cooking bug bit me a few years ago.  It is the easiest dish to make. It tastes like it's made from scratch, and it's always a hit.  So......I usually don't share my treasured "Secret" family recipes.....but I figured, why not? The only downfall to letting you in on my secret is you will all see how much I really cheat with store bought items in my "home-made" dishes.... Oh well.... Here goes: 

And to make it a bit more fun....I took step by step photos....  :)  Shut up Bo.  You are gonna make this and you KNOW it.
 

The ingredients:

One can of olives. Sliced.  I use Lindsay olives ( for obvious reasons)

Two cans of Las Palmas enchilada sauce.  It's the best.  Mild for my wimpy husband.

One can of Ortega fire roasted chilies.  Mild.

1/2 lb of Sharp Cheddar and 1/2 lb of Monterey Jack shredded

Fresh corn tortillas

One large onion, chopped very fine

Two boneless skinless chicken breasts grilled, diced small

The set up.

Assembly line is very important. 

I use my griddle to warm the tortilla so they roll with ease.

I dip the tortilla into the sauce prior to placing it into the dish to fill.

All fillings are lined up, chopped, shredded and diced-ready to go.

(please note: Country music on IPod and Coke zero- a must for a happy chef....well...at least this Happy Chef)

Fill with chopped grilled chicken, green chilies, onion and cheese.

Roll and repeat.

This step is KEY. 

 Lots and lots of sauce.  The tortilla soaks up the sauce and you will have dry enchiladas if there is not enough sauce.

Sprinkle with remainder cheese and olives.

Bake at 350 degrees, covered with foil for 20 minutes, then uncovered for another 10-20 minutes.

Enjoy!

Here was part of our delicious buffet last night:

Chicken and cheese enchiladas, taco salad topped with avocado, rice, beans, guac, salsa and heartburn.

Weight Watchers...what?? Who??  Oh well...there's always next week....

And for those of you who don't like recipes..and skim over these boring posts....

Here's Madeline in a little "Baby Chanel" Licking her fingers from the enchiladas...

Girlie Girl

Notice anything in this picture besides the adorable baby???

That is a BOW!!!

We finally have enough hair to use a clip!!  No tape needed!  Yay!

Sometimes it's so nice to have a girl......

Home again, home again....

I just got back from my looooong weekend away......and I am so tired I want to die.  Why is it that the older I get the more exhausted I am upon my return? 

I have to say the trip was worth every wink of sleep I did not obtain.  I had such a wonderful time with my girlfriends.  That being said.....  Let's review:

Remember when I said that I was no longer allowed to check baggage....well..... sometimes the airline takes your bag whether you want them to or not.  Tegan was also on the flight of "one bag allowed", and when we boarded, the flight attendant ripped it from her fingers and assured her that it would be just outside the plane when we arrived at our final destination.  She looked like an honest woman....why would we not trust her....

We exited the plane at 4:45 am on Saturday morning after one lay-over and four screaming babies later.  Lindsey and I were off long before Tegan.  Then we waited, and waited and waited.  They say a picture's worth a thousand words:

The flight attendants were walking up the ramp. Still no Tegan.  They had forgotten Tegan's luggage on the ramp outside the plane, and flew off leaving it far behind in lovely Sacramento.  Let's just say we were not Happy Campers. 

Luckily, we had a nice chauffeur and a nap before the weekend's festivities began.

We started our Ladies Weekend at the Minnesota State Fair.  They should just call it "The fair that puts all other fairs to shame."  I have to admit.  I was impressed.  Here are some highlights:

Within three minutes of walking into the fair, I had these little babies in my hand.  Deep Fried Cheese Curds. Delicious.

A few steps away was my favorite stand of the day:

The Pickle Stand. Fried, Stuffed and Oversized.

Amazing.

Chocolate Dipped Frozen Bananas were enjoyed by some....

We ended our excursion with the most incredible melt in your mouth goodness, and all you can drink milk.

I think I gained back 10 of my 18 lbs just in Saturday alone.

I'm not gonna lie.  Totally worth it.

By the time we had returned from the fair, Tegan's luggage had magically appeared! Yay US Airways. Way to get it together! 

Sunday was a  fun filled day celebrating all things GIRL. 

The weather Gods shined down upon us and it was a fabulous day all the way around.

This was our view at brunch

Perfect. Perfect. Perfect.

Our day ended with a meal fit for a King.

The most delicious Chinese food EVER.  Go ahead. Be Jealous.  It was Awesome.

Everyone had left by the time Lindsey and I rolled out of bed on Monday morning.  Which meant we had a private tour guide for the day!

Where does one enjoy their last 12 hours in Sunny Minnesota?  The Mall of America of course!

 O-V-E-R-W-H-E-L-M-E-D

Me. Heidi.  The shopper of all shoppers, the queen of the strip mall, the power walking, get out of my way I see a clearance rack, Heidi, could not handle the monstrosity this place calls a "Mall".  It took us 3 1/2 hours to do the first floor.  This place is no joke.  Wanna know what else is no joke? Minnesota has no sales tax on all things of necessity.  Did you know that shoes are of necessity?

I cannot confirm nor deny that there may or may not have been purchases of 5 pairs of shoes at this lovely establishment.  No sales tax AND Labor day weekend??!!!

The shopping Gods were shining down upon us as well.

The weekend was so, so, so, great.  I can't wait for the next girls trip.  I just wish these weekends weren't so few and far between.

I will just have cherish the time we do have with each other.

And be thankful for my friendships with the most amazing set of women on the planet.

Love you B's.

Bring on the Yoga Pants

This weekend I'm heading out on a jet plane...... And for once in my life....I'm packing light.

What I should say is I'm being forced to pack light.

Lindsey and I have been traveling together for years.  On occasion, we have been known to rent a larger car to accomodate our luggage.  We used to live by the Girl Scout motto,  Always be prepared.  You know..10 pairs of heels, 8 swim suits, outfits you might wear, or your friend might wear, 3 handbags...whatever.  Prepared.

This trip is different.  Lots of things have changed about me over the years.  Overpacking is not one of them.  Sure the girls roll their eyes when they see me chuck my enormously overstuffed Pepto Bismol pink luggage out of the back of the car and roll it to the front desk, but you don't see them rolling their eyes when they come to me for outfit options when they don't like their own picks from their "lightly" packed bags.

Lindsey has politely requested that I don't bring ol' Pepto on this trip.  And I can't blame her. I don't want to bring it either.  For a multitude of reasons.  So I'm not.  I just finished packing and after 13 phone calls complaining to my girls that I am going to look like hell and have no clothes, I have packed light.  What used to hold just my Bathroom essentials, will now contain my entire weekends wardrobe. Including the dress I have to wear to the event the weekend is centered around.

There will be no: "Hey I have the perfect shirt for those Jeans!" or "Try these heels, they are taller and will make your legs look better." Or even, "Oh! You're cold?  Here.  I brought 3 extra sweaters."

Nope.  Not this weekend. This weekend is about letting it all hang out, and not caring about the way we look. Just about the company we keep.  Yoga Pants for everyone!

I can't wait.

Maybe this getting older thing is not so bad.....

Cooking with Heidi....and her BFF Ina Garten...

As I have mentioned, I love to cook.  I love everything about it.  I love how I feel when I'm cooking, I love how creative cooking can be, I love tasting the end product, I love trying new things and most of all I love it when somethings fabulousness is hidden and I find it.

Lately, with the dieting, I have not been cooking the way I like to....you know...deliciously.

Until last night.

I made Ina Garten's mustard-roasted fish.  It was so amazing.

From start to finish last nights dinner took me 20 minutes.  I immediately started thinking of people I could make this for and know they would love it.  Gram and Rose were my top contenders...maybe Kim... ......then I started thinking about my in-laws, and then dinner parties...then my mind started to set the imaginary dinner table...place mats...flowers....okay.  Anyway....

It was good. 

And don't be afraid of the mustard title!  The taste of the mustard is very subtle.  And you would swear when the first bite hits your lips that a pound of butter was used to make this dish.  It's so buttery and creamy.

So here it is. Try it!  You will like it!

4 (8 ounce fish fillets) I used red snapper-it was great!
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces of creme fraiche
3 tablespoons of Dijon mustard I used grey poupon
1 tablespoon of whole grain mustard with seeds I used beaver. That's right. I said it. Beaver.
2 tablespoons of minced shallots I used red onion and it was perfect
2 teaspoons of drained capers

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Use an ovenproof baking dish. Sprinkle the fish generously with salt and pepper.   Combine creme fraiche, two mustards, shallots, capers, 1 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of pepper in a small bowl. Spoon the mixture over the fish making sure to cover them completely.  Bake for 10-15 minutes. (The fish will flake at the thickest part when it is done). Serve hot or room temperature with sauce from the pan spooned over the top.

I changed the recipe a bit- here's what I did differently:

I added extra capers and onion for more flavor.   I also baked it at 425 for 10 minutes and was not getting the browned effect on the top that I desired, so I turned my broiler on for 7 minutes and it turned brown and bubbly on top just like I wanted.

I served it with Costco's frozen brown rice (god's greatest latest gift) and made some low fat cole slaw (that's right-I getto-fied my fancy fish).  ONLY because it was just Clay and I eating.   IF... I was making this for guests, I would have made rice pilaf, roasted vegetables and a spring mix salad with a bottle of La Crema to wash it all down.  Which I may do for my MIL birthday next weekend.....

Sometimes I forget I'm doing this whole blog thing...and I didn't think about a picture until my plate was half gone....so here is Ina's pic.  I assure you mine looked JUST as fantastic.  ;)