Home Improvements Phase 1

Here are some photos of the new kitchen. Photos of the bath, roof and others are to come! once again, thank you dad...we can not thank you enough!!!!

recipe

My kitchen is out of commission so I have been trying to make easy meals these past few days. I remembered an old time favorite, Pesto Sun Dried Tomato Grilled Cheese. I usually cook them in a frying pan, but used my Foreman grill instead (I liked them MUCH better on the Foreman).

Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich
serves 4
(served great with Trader Joes Roasted Pepper and Tomato Soup)

8 slices Trader Joe's Cabata Bread
Pesto
sun dried tomatoes
Provolone Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Butter

1- Butter sides of bread
2- On opposite side, spread thin layer of pesto. Top with sun dried tomatoes and sliced provolone and cheddar cheeses.
3- Grill on Foreman (or pan) until golden brown and cheese is melted.

Home Improvements with Bob Villa

My dad has been in town this week helping us with major home improvements. He is amazing!!!! He gutted the kitchen and installed all new cabinets for us. It is beautiful!. Once everything is done, I will post some before and after shots. Here are some 'in action' photos!

October Fun!

This past weekend we joined Bethany Lane Baptist Church (Jon's father's church) on a hayride and bonfire. It is always wonderful to be with family and an added bonus to be with the Smith church family. Here are a few pics with Carson and and Papa and Nana.

Carson Quotes

A few new funnies from Carson over the past few days:







I was putting a pair of jeans on him the other day (since the weather finally feels like the fall). He said to me, 'No mama, I wand the short ones.' I asked him to show me what he meant. He pulled out a pair of shorts out of the drawer and said, 'Dese mama, dese short ones.'

The other day Carson burped. He then said, 'Scuse me mama, i tutted oud of my mouth.'

I asked Carson if he wanted to go to the park. He said, 'yes mama, leds do it...dust two minutes mama, dust two minutes..leds do it.'

recipe

this is not a new recipe, but one that i have been craving...so i thought...why not post it?

Pasta Carbonara Florentine

½ tea salt
1 (6oz) pkg prewashed fresh spinach
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 cup, finely chopped onion
2 T dry white wine
8 oz cooked spaghetti
½ cup grated parm cheese
½ tea pepper
1 large egg
1 large egg white
3 T fresh chopped parsley

1- Cook spinach and ¼ tea salt in pan over med heat. Cook 1 minute or until spinach wilts, stir constantly. Remove from pan, set in bowl.

2- Add bacon to pan, cook 3 minutes or until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, reserve 2 tea of drippings. Add onion to drippings and cook 2 min. Stirring frequently. Add wine, cook 1 minute or until reduced. Remove from pan, keep warm.

3- Cook pasta according to directions, drain, keeping 1 T liquid. Immediately add pasta and the reserved cooking liquid to the onion mixture in skillet. Add spinach and bacon, stir well. Place over low heat.

4- Combine ¼ tea salt. Cheese, pepper, egg and egg white, stir with whisk. Add to pasta, cook 1 minute. Remove from heat, sprinkle with parsley.

We love Mimmi

My mom, also known as Mimmi was in town this past week. She stayed in Northern Virginia visiting with friends, but we were able to see her each day that she was here. Carson loved being with her. I told him a few days ahead of time that she was coming and when i went to get him out of his room in the morning, the first thing he said was, 'is Mimmi here, mama?' we enjoyed all the time that we had with her, but i would have to say that the most meaningful part of her trip was the gift which she gave to me. She handed down to me her traditional Finish costume. I am honored that she entrusted it to me and am even more excited for the opportunity to wear it at the upcoming Annual Finish Bazaar in November. Thank you Mimmi!

Mimmi, i never tried the outfit on for you while you were here...so here is a picture! Love you!

fun filled Saturday afternoon

We had a fun Saturday today...hanging out at the park with the Lees this morning and attending KJ's third birthday party this afternoon.

Little Lauren Lee swinging




Jet Lee



Miss Catlyn Lee



Carson going down the slide



The only two pics I got of the birthday boy and Carson together!





Carson REALLY enjoying the cupcake!

Carson Quotes

A few new funnies from Carson over the past few days:







I was putting a pair of jeans on him the other day (since the weather finally feels like the fall). He said to me, 'No mama, I wand the short ones.' I asked him to show me what he meant. He pulled out a pair of shorts out of the drawer and said, 'Dese mama, dese short ones.'

The other day Carson burped. He then said, 'Scuse me mama, i tutted oud of my mouth.'

I asked Carson if he wanted to go to the park. He said, 'yes mama, leds do it...dust two minutes mama, dust two minutes..leds do it.'

Carson's First Field Trip

Friends graciously invited Carson and I to attend their school field trip today to the National Trolley Museum, knowing how much Carson LOVES trains. He lost his interest in the 'presentation' of how Trolley cars have evolved over the years (good indicator that he is NOt in school yet), but LOVED the trolley ride! Most of my pictures of are Carson and Riley (since he loves her dearly and spent all of his time with her)!

new lens

my camera has been broken for a while hence no new pics. i just got a new lens in today (which solved the problem). i have not had time to play with it other than a few pics of carson playing tonight!