The Ugly Furry Truth

It starts simple enough.

You see a soft, furry bear sitting on a lonely shelf at a posh store. Or you receive the cutest little stuffed green frog at your baby shower. Your mind instantly goes to the perfect spot in your very clean nursery. You smile and pat your belly, longing for the day that your little cherub with clutch the furry thing with chubby fingers.

So you go home and place the animal or animals in the perfect spot. Right by the crisply folded matching receiving blankets and the stack of newly Dreft washed onsies. You let out a sigh and can hardly contain the excitement of the love that will fill this room.

Then the cherub arrives and so do more stuffed animals. These usually are sporting little bear T-shirts that say "Its a boy!" or "I'm with the little sister!" You place these animals in the little clear laundry basket on wheels that they cart the babies around in and smile. By the time you leave the birthing place of your choice, you need an entire flatbed for the flowers, balloons and of course the stuffed ones.

You panic a little when you get home because you are having a hard time placing all the said stuffed ones in the perfectly arranged nursery. You manage to find some room and you go to snuggle with your little.

Flash forward a couple of years. Now you see a picture of a mom who will kill you and bury you in the backyard of you bring a stuffed animal in her home.

I am going to tell you new moms something that no one was kind enough to tell me in my pregnant splendor.

Stuffed Animals get together and reproduce when the lights go out.

It happens slowly. So slowly you barely notice at first. Little Johnny sees a bright purple and green snake at the fair that he begs his daddy to win for him. Little Susie sees a stuffed bear....in a cheer leading outfit.

Before you know it you are knee deep in stuffed things and you want to rip their stuffing out of them. You start to curse the stuffing givers and vow to get your revenge when they have their own bundles of joy.

I believe it may be a conspiracy of some sort. To drive us mamas crazy. (Especially those tight on space.)

Can you tell that I have been on a cleaning and organizing kick? I have to admit that I have been channeling the wrath of fur into big bags labeled. "Donation". I tell myself that some little child out there really needs a stuff animal because he doesn't have one.

I'm a giver like that.

Works for me Wednesday: Every penny counts!

We recently finished our basement and I am in love with our new space! That led me to tackle the laundry room. (Which we shoved everything into during the construction, of course!!) I looked around my clean laundry room and realized I had the clutter under control except some lint and a pile of change.

See ladies, I married a mans man. Which means a fire fighting, fishing, painting a boat man who does not see the need to empty his pockets before throwing his dirty clothes into the pile. (Being the awesome hubby and father we will let this slide :0 )

That when I got this idea....

Let me tell you that now any spare change I find in pockets, on the floor or in the basement go into the bank. It stays neat and we can use the fund to go on a date :)

And that works for this mama....and her man !

For more great WFMW ideas visit We are That Family!

Oooops...Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

I totally forgot to post this last week but thought I would post it now! This is a life savor for busy moms. (Whose not a busy mom, right? :) ) This is also great for those picky little eaters who will only eat mac and cheese. Give yourself a break one night!

My girlfriend suggested adding some cooked ham chunks in for some extra protein which sounds delicious!

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

1/2 pound elbow macaroni
4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

Velveeta Cheese (to taste)
1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Coat the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, beat eggs with fresh and evaporated milks. Mix in uncooked macaroni and 3 cups shredded cheese. Transfer to slow cooker, add slices of Velveeta cheese and sprinkle remaining shredded cheese on top.

Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. Do not stir or remove lid while cooking.

Menu Plan Monday: Family time!

This week is my family reunion. I get to see people that I love and never get to see! Its my Spanish side which is really exciting because these women know how to COOK! It has inspired me to try a new Spanish Chicken recipe which sounds delish!! Do you have a favorite dish from your heritage? Leave a comment, sharing what it is! Happy eating y'all!!

Monday: Spanish Chicken (see recipe below), salad

Tuesday: BBQ pork loins, corn on the cob, fresh green beans with ham hock, cole slaw

Wednesday: Leftover Buffet- if its not movin, you can eat it...but mama is NOT cookin!

Thursday: Ladies night at the aunt's house...what? No one will need me to cut their food? What

will I do?!?!

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Pepper steak in sauce with tortillas, re fried beans, tamales, Yummo!

Sunday: Breakfast for dinner- Orange french toast, sausage, eggs

Spanish Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup water
3/4 cup uncooked long grain rice
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup picante sauce
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (2.25 ounce) can sliced ripe olives, drained

In a large skillet, brown chicken in oil for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove and keep warm. In the same skillet, saute the onion, green pepper and garlic until tender. Stir in the tomatoes, water, rice, bouillon and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Pour into a greased 11-in. x 7-in. x 2-in. baking dish; top with chicken.

Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until rice is tender. Uncover; spoon picante sauce over chicken and sprinkle with cheese. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Garnish with olives.