this is our happily ever after

small things: grocery/meal planning template

One of the things I want to do tonight is plan out my meals for next week.  With last week being TAKS, we didn't eat real well...Chick-fil-A one night, cereal one night, macaroni and cheese one night....you get the picture.  Not a good week of eating at the Moore house.  And, although, I do dream of long summer days where I will start my day with a protein packed fruit smoothie, cook fresh food every night, and eat salad for lunch everyday my waistline cannot wait another 6 weeks for healthy eating.  I have used several grocery list and meal planning templates over the years, but as always I get bored with them and desire to create something new. I grocery shop on Saturday, so that's how I design my template.  So tonight I whipped this one up Download Meals this week

I also worked on an errand list:  I find that when I run errands I inevitably forgot something, so I created this in hopes that I will remember to write on it and I'll keep it in my planner.  I plan on printing a new one every month.  So all of those errands that are looming in the back of my mind can be put on one sheet of paper.  By the way...The color is completely off on this Download Errands

life right now

*Today my students finished taking the TAKS test, and I feel good about it.  Not that I could read the stories, look at the questions, or help them one little bit, but they really showed a lot of work and seemed to be proving their thinking.  One thing I realized today is that in someways it's all about the relationship I've formed with each of them over the year.  One student was a bit wild this morning and yesterday morning, but I pulled him to the side before testing and asked him if he was going to leave me proud or disappointed.  He looked up at me with big brown eyes and told me he wanted me to be proud of him...and I knew he meant it...even if I had to hover around him during much of the test to remind him that I was watching, though not looking! 

*I just took a two hour nap...it's been a long two days!

*Last night we went to dinner at my aunt and uncle's for dinner

*I'm looking forward to a really relaxing weekend.

*I"m still editing photos from Sunday, but here are some faves so far.

This photo isn't my absolute favorite, but I love that the med center is in the background.  This is a park that my parents and Brian went while I was in the critical care ICU.  How blessed am I!

typical...

one of my favorites!

ok...I have a lot more to edit...more coming later...

photography sunday

Today, after church, Brian and I headed in to the city to meet up with my cousin Chelsea.  Chelsea is a lot like me in that she LOVES photography and LOVES taking photos.  Since Brian and I are going to be adding to our family in the next year, we wanted to have some photos made of the two of us before...well...there are 3 of us.  We haven't had a "photo session" since getting married 8 years ago...we both figured it was time.  I brought my camera and lenses for Chelsea to use and she had the places in mind.  I wish I could spend tonight looking through the over 900 photos she took in 3 hours, but unfortunately I have grades that are due tomorrow and a stack of papers sitting before me...ugh!  But, I loaded the second disk of photos (the smaller disk, with only 160 photos and edited just one to post now).  I'd imagine that every night this week I will be editing photos...but that's ok...because I love editing photos.  It's like magic before your eyes!  Thanks Chelsea and Sergio for spending this beautiful afternoon with us! 

the planning has begun

for my birthday trip to NYC

I just booked the hotel and we're trying to find some reasonable flights.  I can hardly wait to spend 4 days with her in NYC...it's going to be so.much.fun!

tuesday randomness

 **I have meatloaf muffins baking in the oven with some potatoes and will steam some broccoli soon. (meatloaf muffins are a basic meatloaf which I bake in a metal muffin tin.  my favorite part of the meatloaf is the burnt, crispy end.  when you cook the meatloaf in the muffin tin, every piece is kinda crispy.  i know, i'm weird...but if you know me i prefer my meat, especially meatloaf, bratwursts,  BBQ chicken, and brisket on the burnt side)

**There are 33 work days left until my early retirement :)  Next year I will tutor and sub until baby Moore arrives...wow, that's really weird to say! Kinda brings tears to my eyes. 

**Just discovered this brilliant photographers blog today via this brilliant photographers blog.  The thing I love (and despise) about her is that she shoots with the same camera and some of the same lenses I have, I think...I love it because that means I could become this good with the camera and lenses I currently have, I hate it because well, I'm no where near this good...not.even.close :( 

**my cleaning lady came today, and even though I left a note on the door reminding Brian NOT to set the alarm, he did...and poor Ellie set if off and called me...I told her the code, called ADT to inform them what happened, they called the police dept to tell them it was a false alarm. But at least my house is clean now!

**I'm really behind on my project life album, so I will be working on it tonight.  I'm SO glad I keep everything documented here, otherwise I'm sure I would have given up by now!

** and lastly, I'm LOVING my new fridge

project life: week 15

4.12.2010 A beautiful sunrise on my way to school

4.13.2010 Every morning my class says the pledge, both to the United States AND Texas...gotta love living in Texas!

4.14.2010 I love our bedding..it's a lightweight quilt which is perfect for our Texas weather.  I also love the sheets that go with it.

4.15.2010 My current favorite breakfast cereal.  I really good just eat the dried strawberries straight out of the box, but I don't.

4.16.2010 You can't really see it in this photo, but some of the girls had picked a whole bunch of clover in our recess field and were decorating this tree with the flowers.  It was so cute!

4.17.2010 We went to see Kathie Otte, our adoption consultant, again.  Last time we met with her she took our information, requests, and desires for adoption and wrote a personalized report for us.  Yesterday she presented the report to us.  She spoke with three agencies who all agreed to work with us.  One of the agencies is rather large and we are actually going to an orientation with them this week.  The other two agencies are smaller.  The larger agency currently has a few Hispanic birth mothers with no one to match them to.  The other two agencies would probably have a longer wait, but still less than a year.  We aren't ready to welcome a baby into our home just yet.  We have some summer vacation plans, we need to get our home ready for a baby, and we still need to seek some more wisdom and direction.  There is another agency that Brian and I have know about for about one year, Generations.  It is in Waco, TX, is a Christian agency (which we really like the idea of), and is about half the cost of the other three agencies...and when I say half the price I mean $17,500 verses $35,000!  I don't have to tell you, that is a HUGE difference and an enormous amount of money. Kathie is not familiar with this agency, but is going to do some research for us this week.  This particular agency is non-profit and may be affiliated with a church which helps to keep the cost lower.  We know some people who adopted from this agency and had a great experience.  They adopted a little Hispanic boy and actually got him very quickly....they were matched the day after they were approved and he was born 2 weeks later!   It is truly amazing how fast Hispanic children are available verses Caucasian.  Most Caucasian couples want a white baby...so they wait a very long time.   Once we really get serious about it, get our paper work done (which takes about a month), and get approved we shouldn't have to wait very long.  It's so exciting, but very overwhelming at the same time. 

4.18.2010 Brian and I went to church this morning, picked up Firehouse subs, and went to the park for a picnic.  This is something we used to do frequently, but we got out of the habit.  We went to Challenger 7 park where the honeysuckle perfumed the air and we were sprinkled from the rain, but it was still fun and relaxing. 
 

project life: week 14

I got a little behind during week 14, but I refuse to let it stop me.  I decided to walk around the house and take some random photos of our everyday life to fill in.  I am enjoying this process and I can't wait until the end of the year when I have a full album that represents the big and little things of 2010. 

4.5.2010 I came home and created a clipboard for someone at school.  For instructions on how to do this see this post .  

4.6.2010 a new house plant

4.7.2010 pink tulips in our bedroom

4.8.2010 I have a mild addiction to magazines...I'm really good about cleaning them out and passing them on, but I haven't had the time to do that lately...I guess it will be a summer project.   I currently subscribe to the following: Southern Living, Cooking Light, Better Homes and Gardens, Food Network magazine, Midwest Living

4.9.2010 A night on the town with the Olivers...such great memories

4.10.2010  We went to my "cousin" Tim's house for dinner with the family, but we got there a little early so we decided to kill some time by going through a model home.  Very dangerous.  I fell in love with the tile work they did in this home...it was gorgeous!  Someday I will do this in my house...a future house. I'm posting two photos, but the reflection photo will go in my album

4.11.2010 This is Savannah...isn't she lovely!  She is the daughter of our next door neighbors Marc and Stephanie.  I spent some time with Stephanie and Savannah Sunday afternoon...sometimes I just need my Savannah fix...she is a confirmation of our desire for a Hispanic child and I adore her.  I couldn't choose just one photo :)

weekend creative: clipboards

I have become known at school for being the clipboard girl.  I have a few decorated clipboards in my classroom and when a 4th grade teacher saw them she asked me to make some for her team as Christmas gifts.  So I did, and then proceeded to make a clipboard for each person on my 3rd grade team.  Then a week ago I was asked to make one for a student teacher.  Well supposedly people are beginning to covet my clipboards and I made another one for Librarian Day yesterday.  They are really the easiest, cutest, most practical gift...especially for teachers.  While making one a few weeks ago I decided to capture my process to share with my readers.  This is how I've currently been making them, but in the past I've just used paint and foam stamps to decorate them. 

Here's what you need:

• a plain clipboard (I bought some at Wal-Mart this week for about $1.50 each)
• 2 sheets of 12x12 scrapbook paper.  I recommend a heavier weight to prevent air bubbles from forming.
• matte modge podge 
• 2 foam brushes (found near paint at a craft store)
• a paper plate
• 1 small bottle of white craft paint
• assorted ribbon to compliment the scrapbook paper

Step One: Cut each piece of cardstock to 8.5x11

Step Two: Spread a thin layer of mod podge over one side of the cardstock and adhere to the clipboard, smooth out to remove any air bubbles

 

Step three: Do the same thing to the other side. 

Step four: Paint the edges of the clipboard with paint.  I don't try to make straight lines, just free form it.

Step five:

After paint drys on both sides, put the persons initials in the corner with stickers.  Then apply another thin coat of mod podge to one side, let dry, and then the other side.

Tie ribbons to the clip on the clipboard

a fantastic night with the Oliver's

About 5 years ago Brian and I were asked to facilitate a new small group from our church.  We were told that there was a couple who wanted to host in our area, but they needed someone to lead the group.  We knew we could handle leading a group, so we said yes.  We were introduced to Ken and Danice, who would be the hosts, one Sunday at church.  We decided that we should meet for dinner before starting our small group, so that we could learn a little bit more about each other.  We met the next week at Two Brothers Pasta.  I was a little nervous to have dinner with two people we had never met, but I'm always nervous when I meet new people.  Immediately our conversation flowed freely and when we left dinner that night Brian and I looked at each other and said something like "we will become great friends with them."  Well through small groups, parties, double dates, visits to the hospital, cleaning up during hurricane Ike, and many other events we did become great friends.  I have to say that Danice has become one of my dearest friends; I can be so candid with her, she tells the funniest stories, and she has a heart of gold. I will miss her dearly, but I'm very thankful for the internet, which will keep us close since they are moving to Malaysia soon.  Danice and I both wanted to have one last hoorah before they move.  I refuse to say goodbye to she and Ken, rather I look forward to our next night on the town over Christmas break when they are back home for a visit.  

So here's the story about Friday night....

Last Friday night Brian and I headed over to the Oliver's.  Once Danice and I were safely pinned in our dresses we joined the guys and headed to the car.    Ken and Danice hired a limo for the night so we wouldn't have to drive, it was so fun and relaxing.  Since we were in a limo we enjoyed some wine on our trip into the city.  Here is our first of several "cheers" photos

We went to Danice and my favorite restaurant, Truluck's, which is known for crab (my favorite food). 

We ordered hot and crunchy shrimp, which were yummy!

and had some wine of course!

just a note...I refused to use my flash and so my photos are off.  I tried to edit them, but it didn't work very well.  Maybe once I get lightroom I can fix them.

I LOVE THIS PHOTO! 

here's Danice's copy taken with a flash

I ordered a giant Alaskan king crab leg which weighed about a pound...Danice ordered stone crab

Outside Truluck's waiting for the car

Then we went to a boutique hotel Granduca to have some wine...and the funniest thing happened to me.  I went to find the ladies room and went down the wrong hallway.  Keep in mind we're at a hotel.  I ended up down by the elevators and there was this man standing there wearing scrubs and holding a puppy in his arms and another dog on a leash.  I commented at how cute the puppy was and he handed me the puppy.  I snuggled the puppy, let it lick my hands and chin, and then handed it back.  I asked the guy what kind of dog it was he said "It's a welsh corgi, the Queen's dog!" At that moment the elevator doors opened and there was this pretty blond lady, who quickly beckoned to her puppies.  Sadly, I wasn't quick enough to ask the guy if she was the queen!  When I got back to our seat I told Brian and Ken about my little encounter and we quickly fabricated this story about how I had held the queen's dog, the queen of Luxembourg's puppy in fact.  When Danice returned we shared the story with her and the story was a hit for the rest of the night and will probably be a classic story for the rest of our lives.  I realize that this probably isn't that funny to the rest of the world...it's a "you had to be there" kind of story, but I wanted it documented.  Keep in mind that 3 glasses of wine makes everything funnier! 

Then we headed to a wine bar across the street, where we had more wine (which I regretted the next day)

Such great memories...I can't wait for the next time!

limoncello marscarpone strawberry trifle

So this is what I made for Easter Sunday.  If you've been reading my blog for long, you know I really don't like to "bake".  Too much measuring and accuracy for me.  However, maybe it's the nesting side of me, but the thought of baking isn't quite so daunting.  I've been watching lots of Barefoot Contessa and Giada at Home lately and these talented ladies make lots of dessert...and I like my sweets.  The one thing I really like about Giada is that she keeps her desserts relatively simple; using things like store bought pound cake or cookie dough.  This makes desserts seem less daunting to me.  The recipe I made for Easter is based on this one, but I made enough changes that I feel like I can call it my own!  

Ingredients:

• 1 store bought butter pound cake, cubed
• 1/4 cup limoncello liqueur
• 16 ounce marscarpone cheese (italian cream cheese)
• 1 cup lemon simple syrup (see recipe below)
• zest of two lemons
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 8 oz vanilla yogurt (I used Greek yogurt)

• 2 cups of diced strawberries

In a mixing bowl combine and mix marscarpone cheese, simple syrup, lemon zest, powdered sugar, and yogurt.

In a trifle bowl (or any clear glass bowl) layer pound cake to cover the bottom.  Brush limoncello on pound cake, spread 1/3 of the marscarpone mixture over the cake and sprinkle 1/2 cup strawberries over it.  

Repeat these steps two more times, ending with the strawberries on top.  

Lemon Simple Syrup

1 cup water

juice from one large or two small lemons (about 1/4-1/2 cup)

1 cup sugar

Place water, juice, and sugar in a small saucepan.  Bring to a gentle boil and cook until sugar is dissolved.  Cool for about 20 minutes.  This is great to use in iced tea :)

Let this dessert set in the fridge for a few hours, up to a day, then serve.