Good Eats!

Ok so this is just going to be a super short post. I wanted to share this yummy recipe that I made this week.
I was in the mood for something warm and a little spicy so I made Hot Buffalo Chicken, Bacon, and Cheese Sandwich. I added some extra hot sauce to my wing sauce just to make it a little more spicy. The recipe was a great success and Reiggin loved it. Well hope everyone had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. I will leave you with a super cute video of Samantha and Virginia playing together.

Cable or No Cable?

My friend Lisa has been living without cable for two years now. She uses the internet and downloads what shows she would like to watch using uTorrent. I have always been curious about doing this. My Timewarner bill always makes me sick seeing how much it costs. We have like two hundred and eighty channels and we watch maybe ten of them. So finally Reiggin threw out the idea of downgrading to just basic cable and keeping the internet.  We would be using this program called Boxee to watch some of the channels that are not offered with basic cable. We would still have Netflix too which is great.  I was sold on the idea. I won't lie I am a little nervous about going to just basic cable and relying on the internet for my shows. I think it will be something that we both will have to get use too. The money we will save will make it all worth it though.

Ok so I am on day 2 of just basic cable. I have to say that it has not been that much of a change. I say this and think that most my shows are on holiday break. So ask me in January how I am doing.  I have had more time to read my book and play with Virginia. I am still able to follow my morning routine of watching The Early Show and then The Rachael Ray Show. Life is good!

It's Christmas Time!

It is really starting to feel like the holidays. We have our porch fully decorated and a tree all lit up with a few ornaments that we have collected. The delight of my nights is watching ABC Family's 25 Days til Christmas. I love this time of year. It is much more enjoyable now that I don't work in a restaurant. I even love listening to the Christmas music that plays on Pandora.  My Mom's post on Facebook about her and my Dad decorating the tree and their making plans for the annual trip to McAdenville made me think of the Christmas traditions that we had growing up and the traditions that I will be creating with my family now.

For the Fords, it was always tradition for my Dad and Susan to put the lights on the tree. My Mom and I would start putting the ornaments and balls on the tree. Susan would always put a old school picture ornament of her on the top as our angel. Then to finish off, the orange squirrel would find its rightful place on the tree. Don't ask where the orange squirrel came from, but the tree never feels complete until it is on. On Chrismas Eve, we would all pile into the car and drive though McAdenville to see all the Christmas lights. Man, I am going to miss that trip though McAdenville this year.

Now, I think ahead to what kind of traditions I will make with my family. Virginia is getting older and she is starting to enjoy watching the Christmas movies and cartoons with me on TV. She was thrilled watching "Yes, Virginia" the other day. Reiggin helped me decorate the tree as Virginia enjoyed the lights. We have hidden the presents for Virginia in the closet. Which reminded me that every year my parents hid our presents under their bed. I would always go and try to peek in the presents when they were gone by pulling up part of the wrapping paper. I believe they knew. If not, sorry Mom! It is amazing I stayed on Santa's good list. Virginia is no fan of Santa just yet. Reiggin dressed up as Santa for work and Virginia was scared to death. So that trip to see Santa will be postponed.

I just love this time of year and I do try to remember the true meaning behind Christmas that it is more then just the gift giving and dinners with family. But that the most important thing is that Jesus was born. So I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Also, share with me what traditions you grew up with and what traditions you have started with your family.

Book Club

I had a little wild hair telling me that starting a book club with Lisa Harland would be a great idea. Luckily I didn't pull that wild hair and decided to go for it. The first book we decided to read was The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright.  I was a little worried at first about the book club. Most of you know I am not a big reader. I can't even remember the last book that I have finished. But I was determined to make this book club work. If only to proof some jokers wrong that teased and made jokes about me going to the library.

So I rushed off to the Statesville library, Virginia in tow.  First I had to get  a library card. To be honest libraries always make me a little nervous. They are always so big and finding my way around them sometimes is a challenge.  The ladies at the library were very helpful and I was on my way. I got my book pretty quickly. Then I decided since I was getting a book that I should get Virginia one too.

We made our way downstairs to the children's area.  I some what remember what the Gastonia libraries children's area looked like. But I was truely amazed at the set up that the Statesville Library had. They took up the whole downstairs. There was an area for kids to use computers. Then the best of all they had each section organized by age.  It was very easy for me to find the baby section and find a good first book for Virginia. Her first book was a great Peek A Boo book. Virginia has fallen in love with this kind of book. So when we returned my first book I found a great series called Peek A Boo!

Overall I was very happy and our book club was off to a great start. I rushed home and jumped right into my book. It took me about a week to finish the whole book. It wasn't to long or to short of a book. It made me cry, laugh, and say what? I would recommend this book to anyone. It has a little romance, mystery, and full of emotions. I also enjoyed being able to call Lisa up and discuss with her what was going on in the book. I started reading the book a few days before Lisa. Which was a good thing because I remembered that Lisa is a super fast reader.

Now we are on to our second book which is The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I just picked it up from the library yesterday. I read a little last night and so far so good. But I am a little worried at how big this book is. I am sure that it will be ok and that Lisa will keep me motivated though this book.

If you guys have any suggestions on books that we should read, please leave me a comment and tell me the name of the book.

Broiled Herb Butter Chicken

I have been trying to improve my cooking skills lately. So every week I am trying to cook one new dish. Reiggin was closing tonight at Walgreens and I decided to test run a new recipe. I get almost all my recipes off of allrecipes.com. I love this site it is so easy to find what you want. So tonight I tried out the Broiled Herb Butter Chicken. I did make some changes. First instead of using parsley I used oregano. Second instead of using thyme I used garlic salt. Third I added a dash of paprika. Last but not least I used a dash of salt and pepper. I cooked the chicken in 5 minute stages. Each time the 5 minutes were up I turned the chicken over. Man this dish was delicious. I even didn't need to use ranch as a dipping sauce. For all of you that know me that says a lot. The dish was quick to make too. I think I may have spent 20 or 3o minutes total. I also made instant mash potatoes as the side item. I would highly recommend everyone trying this dish.

Of course I will add a picture of the dish as soon as I find my camera cable to transfer the image. Again, I need to improve my organization of my house. What is a blog entry without a photo. So here are a few Christmas photos. I decided to go all out on decorating our porch. Virginia was just a little excited about the Christmas lights. For a nice end a photo of our Christmas tree.

I Am Not My Mother...

I am not my mother. This statement is becoming more and more clear. Now that I am married and have a young child, I am realizing that I am not my mother. I am amazed at how well my mom took care of the household and my sisters and I. I definitely fall short of keeping up with my household. I believe I just lack the motivation. I also find myself occupied with the laptop more then I should be. My mom worked full time and still managed to cook us breakfast and dinner. There was also never a day that our house was so messy that it would be embarrassing for someone to come over. Our house was spotless as far as I can remember. My house now does not come close to being clean every day. I am trying to develop a cleaning routine. I know that if I just do a little cleaning everyday that this will help me keep on top of the mess. My biggest problem is the dishes. Yes, we have no dishwasher. Don't ask me what I was thinking when I agreed to live in a house without a dishwasher. I hate washing dishes, especially the glasses. Here come my excuses. I know that they are lame, but they are mine. First, most days Virginia will not let me clean for hours without wanting to be picked up. Second, the last thing I want to do is clean when Virginia is napping. Third, I am just overwhelmed at how fast my house gets messy. Ok so I know my excuses are bad, but I am determined to become better at being the Great HouseMom. Hopefully one day I can say that I am my mother. To wrap things up here is a super cute video of Virginia taking some of her first steps. You heard right we have a walking baby now.

Yes I know

Yes I know I have not blogged in a long long time. I really have no excuses other then I am lazy. So just for Lisa Harland, I decided I would update my blog. The nice shout out she gave me on her blog has pushed me to write.

There has been a lot going on in my life. Virginia turned one years old September 22nd and we had a great party at my sister Lisa's house. It is hard to believe it has already been a year. Looking back on all of our photos it is crazy how much she has grown up. She is learning new things everyday. She is saying mama now. We are working on dada. She is getting closer to walking, but for right now she is happy with cruising. The most exciting news is that we went to RockHill with my parents and Susan and got her first pair of shoes. She was not a fan at all of the nice woman trying to measure her feet. She screamed the whole time until we got out of the store. We did end up walking out with some super cute white stride right shoes that have flowers on the sides. Maybe with new shoes she will take off running.

As far as Reiggin and I go we are attending a new church, Harbor Presbyterian Church in Mooresville. It has been nice getting back into the routine of going to church. Virginia is getting better about going to the nursery. She still cries as we are leaving, but the nice ladies say she is fine after about five minutes. Everyone has been super nice at the church. I really love the preacher and how friendly he is. I am hoping to find a good small group to start to attend.

Reiggin has moved to a new store in Mooresville on Brawley School road. I am glad he is back down in Mooresville and not up in Hickory. He seems to be liking the new store. He has been working extra hard lately, but that's just Walgreens during the holidays.

I am still loving our new house. It is so quiet and our land lord is perfect. I will be sad to have to leave whenever the day comes that Reiggin gets his own store.

Like Lisa I am glad to see Fall is here and the weather is slowly getting colder. I do enjoy wearing jeans and a long sleeve shirt. We will see how well we stay warm in our house. But so far the weather has made for some great blanket and movie time on the couch.

As far as entertainment in the future. I am excited to say we have tickets to The Avett Brother's new years eve show in Asheville. Now we just have to find someone to keep Virginia over night. We would love to be able to go to the show and stay the night in Asheville. I would probably not know what to do with myself if I actually had a night where I didn't have to get up every three hours. But first we have to get Virginia ready.

My goal with Virginia is to get her sleeping though the night. Hopefully soon she will start to like the taste of milk. Virginia did have her first year check up and passed with flying colors. She is 20lbs and 29in. tall. It was pretty sad she ended up having to get 4 shots and blood work done that day. That was not a fun visit. Also Virginia is moving up to a front facing car seat. Oh yeah my baby girl is growing up.

Also a side note is that my mom is on Facebook. Yes Myra Ford has taken the jump and joined Facebook. With a little help from me mom decided to join so she can see all the awesome pictures that Susan and I post. I tend to put pictures up faster on Facebook then I do on my blog. Now we just have to get Lisa to join the band wagon and get on Facebook. It is much better then Twitter. There is all kinds of stuff to do on Facebook. I tend to spend all my time playing games. Yes I am very addicted to all the games on Facebook. I just can't say no to a good computer game. Lately I have been spending all my time playing Cafe World and another computer game called Evony.

Well I think that catches everyone up. I know this blog post has been all over the place. So maybe in the future I will try to post more regularly. Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the nice fall weather.