Friday, January 22, 2010



Obviously, today's picture wasn't taken by me.

But, oh my, it makes me sad.
You see, I have been blessed with children.
And even more, I've been lucky enough
to not have to struggle to bear them.
Beau and I can provide for them,
protect them, feed them and love them.
Our kids have it pretty easy,
but we are the lucky ones.

And there are others who struggle. 
Who want a child so bad it hurts.
Who would pay any kind of money and
make any kind of sacrafice to be a parent.
And who are, despite their own trials,
very VERY generous and giving.

People like my friend Megan.
She wants a baby. Bad.
And has been trying to adopt for some time.
She's been in contact with an orphanage in Haiti.
Trying to find her own little one.
Following every lead in the direction of parenthood.

And then the earth shook.
And said orphanage was destroyed.
Children were lost and even more were found.
Parentless. Homeless. Even hopeless.

And so now Megan fights for their cause, not her own.
To help rebuild, rejuvenate, relieve.

I know we have all given in our own ways.
Financial, emotional, prayerful.
But if you have the means and the
desire to donate to this orphanage directly,
please check out her blog for more details.
And if you don't have money to give,
prayers will do just fine.

{because}
Every Little Bit Counts.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

{mom's cookin'}

On tonight's menu:

Mom's Enchilada Casserole
{totally from my head, so bear with me}




Ingredients
2 cups cooked rice
2 cans refried beans {refried black beans are so good}
1 xl can enchilada sauce {red, mild - unless you like it spicy}
grated cheese {to taste}
tortillas {corn or flour will work}
garlic and onion {to taste}

Directions
Sautee garlic and chopped onions in a pan
with a little oil until soft, set aside
Pan fry tortillas in a small amount of oil,
blot dry with paper towel, set aside
Spray 9x12 baking dish with non-stick spray
Spread rice and refried beans at the bottom of the dish
Layer tortillas, 1/3 enchilada sauce, 1/3 cheese
{repeat 2 more times}
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes
{I cook it longer - I like the cheese kind of crispy on top}
Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving
Top with sour cream, salsa, guacamole - whatever you like!
{this recipe is also good with
shredded chicken or browned ground beef}

Yummy!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

{ebelskeivers}



They say the best way to a man's
heart is through his stomach.
And today, my husband was very much in love.
Ebelskeivers for breakfast and guilt-free football for lunch.
An almost perfect day in Beau's world.
Except for one minor detail...the Boys lost.
Better luck next year.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

{color vs. b&w}



I always have such a hard time deciding
because each have their own charm.
I love both.

Friday, January 15, 2010

{scribbles}



I admit...I was mad a first.
When I found the scattered remains of the printer paper in my craft room.
But, when you find a little girl practicing her alphabet
and pretty much mastering it on her own at the age of 4,
you kind of feel proud.
But she owes me a ream of paper.
p.s.  I know.  I missed a day. 
Apparently, my resolutions are all works in progress.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

{leslie hall}

After my craft-surge of yesterday, I received this link from my friend Tiffany.
And I love it.
And if you're as cool as I already think you are, you will, too.
Craftastic.



Next project?
Homemade Gold Pants

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

{the juices}



Today, I've got a surge of energy.
Beds made before breakfast.
Laundry is a-washing.
And I, my friends, am feeling some creative juicing coming on.
Here are the fruits of my 10 minute labors.
Made while the kids ate lunch.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

{big kids}


Someday, he'll be one.


But for now, I'll just enjoy the little, crazy boy that sneaks food {and makes subsequent messes, see below}, loves to snuggle, tells me I'm cute, begs for tickles and gives me kisses on demand.

Love me some Layners.

Monday, January 11, 2010

{nice}



No fights with her sister today.
All day.

Sunday, January 10, 2010



All happen every four years.
This is a picture of Tatum's first {and only, thus far}
visit to the beach in 2006, posing with her Uncle Steve. 
It was the last time that all of my mom's kids were
in the same place at the same time.
And in a few weeks, it'll happen again in Utah.
Four years later.

Saturday, January 09, 2010

{busy}



Pictures were taken of my family...
at a very cool location by a very cool girl.

Lunch was eaten with the girls...at the OG, baby.

Photo session with this gorgeous family...froze my buns off.
See more here.
 Today was hectic.

Friday, January 08, 2010

{walker, the cute}



His parents aren't too shabby either!
But honestly, he's edible.
Want to see more?  Go here.

Thursday, January 07, 2010

{crazy pizza}



Ingredients

- 16 ounces lean beef or turkey
- Various pizza toppings {family preference} - veggies, pepperoni, Canadian bacon; the sky’s the limit!
- 1 (26 ounce) can tomato sauce {Hunt’s is inexpensive and works well with this recipe}
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 (7 1/2 ounce) cans refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
- 2/3 cup low-fat cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 2/3 cup reduced-fat mozzarella cheese (shredded)

Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and spray large baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a non stick large skillet brown meat with Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic {if you like}. Once cooked and drained, add any other toppings you’d like and mix well.
- Stir in tomato sauce, ½ the cheese and remove skillet from heat.
- Separate biscuits, cut each into 4 pieces and gently stir pieces into meat/topping mixture.
- Pour mixture into prepared baking dish and bake 20 minutes.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top and continue baking until cheese melts, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to slightly cool {biscuits will be hot}. Makes 12 servings.

Serve with a fresh garden salad and your family will be happily stuffing their faces...promise.

p.s. This is a great dish to freeze - holds up really well!

A family favorite, Weight Watchers friendly, super yummy, inexpensive and easy.
Right up this mom's alley.

{theodore}


Thank You, McDonalds...most annoying toy ever.
Especially when it's {x3}

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

{say cheese!}



Hayden {3 years old}

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

{the red baron}

I'll be honest, I debated.


I really did.

Not sure if I was up for another season of Bachelor updates.  This girl, afterall, has a lot on her plate these days.  I had planned on relaxing mornings of DVR supported Bachelor viewing, fast forwarding through the commercials and enjoying the ridiculousness of most of the girls.  I had hoped that I would like Jake as much as I had in his debut season; that he could somehow escape the cheesiness that comes with being the star of the show.

And so I began to watch.
I made it about 10 minutes.
I must blog.

What the ?!?!?!?!?!?!? 

Seriously, are we really going with the whole 'On the Wings of Love' theme?
Do we have to hear the muzak {elevator}, instrumental version during every shirtless montage?

And don't even get me started on the Maverik-ness of it all.

I know it happened, because I rewinded about 3 times to make sure.
They did just show Jake on his motorcycle in a bomber jacket at the beach at sunset, looking to be either struggling with an important decision or dreaming of Kelly McGillis. 
And hopefully not the latter, I hear she swings the other way these days. 
Could make for the most dramatic season in Bachelor history, though hot stuff.



I have yet to watch the rest of the show.  Haven't me the girls, seen first impressions, how many talk about being his 'co-pilot' and who cries.  But you better believe, I'll be back with some thoughts tomorrow. 

Hi, My name is Evonne and The Bachelor is my drug of choice.

If this ends in a proposal, televised marriage and I hear this song for the first dance...
So help me.

{peer pressure}



Good thing it was Martenelli's,
'Cause I totally caved.

Monday, January 04, 2010

{in with the new}



I’m a Monday girl. Meaning, anything worth starting should always begin on a Monday. Maybe it's the OCD in me creeping out, but I know I’m not the only one out there. And, being as dedicated as I am to my obsessive compulsions, even New Year’s resolutions fall under this rule.

So, starting today {Monday, January 4th}, my blogging resolution begins.

A picture a day.

Sometimes it’ll be current. Sometimes {like today} it’ll be just plain appropriate for the post. Either way, you’ll get a picture…like it or not.

Other resolutions made; some private {personal}, some cliché {weight/health}, some as a family {fhe, time together}, some financial {debts, making more money, being able to cut back on work hours}.

Hopefully I’ll be successful, that history won’t repeat itself {as it often does} and that I’m not making the same resolutions next year. Either way, I won’t bore you with all of those details.

Unless I get really skinny.
And then, you’ll see lots of pictures of me and my hot bod.

Saturday, January 02, 2010

{sister/sister}












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