Tasty Tuesday | Taco Cupcakes

Like I've mentioned before, {and something you'll continue to hear from me} I like to keep things simple, easy, not complicated, etc. when it comes to cooking. I do enjoy cooking, but there's no need for it to be difficult or complicated. We all have enough difficult things going on in life, and making dinner shouldn't be one of them!

This recipe is easy, and always a hit at our house. I can't remember where I originally got it from, but every time I've ever made them they have never gone to waste. I'm sure these "cupcakes" would be a big hit for kids too! I mean what child wouldn't want cupcakes for dinner?! This is one of those dinners that everyone wins. It's easy to prepare, and everyone will love!

ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef 

1 packet taco seasoning

1 cup salsa or rotel

24 wonton wrappers

1 cup reduced fat Mexican blend cheese

1/2 cup low fat sour cream

instructions

1. Brown beef with taco seasoning, and drain if needed. 

Turkey or chicken can easily be substituted for beef.

2. Pour salsa in beef, mix together.

3. Preheat oven to 350.

4. Spray cupcake pan with nonstick spray.

 5. Line each cupcake hole with a wonton wrapper. Then repeat.

6. Fill wonton wrappers with beef mixture, then top with cheese.

7. Bake for 15-20 minutes. 

Cheese will be melted and wonton wrappers should be crispy.

8. Pull from oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes.

9. Remove from cupcake pan and top with sour cream. 

You can add any other taco toppings you wish. 
I substitute plain Greek yogurt for sour cream.

10. Serve and ENJOY!

the big surprise.

A year ago today... the day we received the biggest and best surprise of our life! I peed on a stick and got a positive pregnancy test. August 4, 2013 is the day we found out our little nugget was on his way!

I say "big surprise" loosely. My pregnancy was somewhat planned. We had not really been trying, but we also were not preventing and hadn't been for about 5 months. When it was time for my 2013 annual, we decided I would just discontinue my birth control and we would let whatever happened, happen. However, in late July I accepted a job offer with a new company so when I found out I was expecting days before starting at a brand new workplace, I was a little shocked to say the least.

I will never forget the morning I got the positive test. I was about to shower for the day, and was also a couple days late. I just knew there was no way I was pregnant, but decided to take a test just in case. I took the test and set it aside. I then went about my routine, and as I was about to step into the shower I glanced at the test and saw two pink lines clear as day! I was in shock. I screamed for Clete to come to the bathroom because we had company. {Side note: NEVER take a pregnancy test when you have company at your house. It's a horrible idea. NEVER do it!} Once he walked into the bathroom I shoved the test in his face, and immediately began sobbing. He didn't understand why I was so upset as we had decided months before that if it was God's time for us to begin our family we were completely okay with it. It just wasn't ideal to start a brand new job and be 7 weeks pregnant, but that's what I was going to do. After a few hours of being in shock, having to pretend like everything was normal until our company was gone, and then taking another test or two; I then began to get over the shock and be a little excited. I have wanted to be a mommy my whole life, and it's happened. I now look back at that morning and laugh at how I told my husband we were becoming parents. It wasn't how I had imagined I would tell him at all, but it was just how I reacted in the moment.

I sit here and look at our almost 4 month old baby boy in complete awe. Time is passing way too quickly, but life couldn't be better! I never could have imagined how our life would be today a year ago. He has changed our lives for the better, and is the biggest blessing we've ever received! This day last year we had tons of different emotions, and no idea how we'd be able to handle a baby, but fast forward to a year later and we're getting along just fine! We now couldn't imagine life without him in it. Looking back, August 4, 2013 has been one of the greatest days of our life!

July Foodie Penpals

It's July Foodie Penpals reveal day! What's foodie penpals? Well, I'm glad you asked! You can learn all about it by going here. If you're a food lover, you will definitely want to check it out! This past month I signed back up after taking some time off, and I don't regret it! FPP is a fun way to connect with other bloggers from all over the US, and also a good way to discover some new food finds!

For July I was paired with Katie from Mississippi. She put together a box filled with all kinds of great goodies! 

It's always a good day when your FPP box arrives at your door! When I opened my box, it did not disappoint! Katie had filled it with lots of goodies- some of her favorites, some local things, and also a little something she found while on her recent vacation at the beach! She also included a local magazine, some of her favorite recipes, and a hand written note telling me about everything in the box.

The box breakdown:

• Shrimp and Grits- Katie found these on her recent vacation at the beach. She said she thought we could enjoy a nice "beach" dinner. 
• Snack Mix- This was a homemade trail mix she had made. It was delicious, and so far has been my favorite thing from the box!
• Blackeye Peas
• Local Blackberry Syrup
• Chocolates
• A collaboration of some of her favorite things- Crystal Light lemonade, mini coffee creamers, ranch dip mix, a local magazine, and some of her favorite recipes. 

Katie put together a great box this month! I am grateful I was paired with an awesome foodie penpal who sent lots of yummy goodies. I sent Katie a box as well filled with some new things I recently came across, as well as some of our favorites.

Thank you so much Katie for the great box! I'm still working my way through the whole thing, but so far we have been enjoying it all. Keep making that trail mix, it is delicious! I plan to attempt it myself soon. I hope you've enjoyed your box as well!

Be sure to check out The Lean Green Bean for more details on Foodie Penpals, and to sign up to participate!

Tasty Tuesday | Katie's Simple Salsa

Today I'm starting a new series on the blog, Tasty Tuesday. I'll be sharing a recipe every week with you all! I do enjoy cooking sometimes, and if you're like me then you're always looking for new dishes to try. These recipes will be family favorites, or something new I've come across. When it comes to cooking I do things simple, quick, and easy! Bon appetit!

If you know our family, it's no secret that we love food with Mexican flair! This recipe I got from my sister, Katie. She brought this salsa to the lake over Memorial Day weekend and we've been hooked ever since! I made a few minor tweaks to the recipe, and I've been making a batch every week for us to have at home. It not only goes with tortilla chips, but also is great on a taco salad or in a burrito bowl. It's simple, easy, and very tasty! It'll be the perfection addition to your next Mexican dinner night!

ingredients

2 (14.5 oz) cans Hunt's stewed tomatoes

1 (4.5 oz) can diced green chiles

1 jalapeno, seeded

1/2 sweet onion, diced

1 clove fresh garlic
1 small lime, juiced

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon garlic salt
cilantro to taste

instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender.

2. Blend together until the salsa is to your desired texture.

3. Serve and enjoy!

Returning to Work + A Weekend of Celebrating

This mommy is officially back to work! Last Monday was my first day back, and my first week back couldn't have been better. I was welcomed back by my coworkers, and it felt good to be back in the office. I also got "bumped up" and have a new title with new job duties, so that was exciting to come back to as well! I was a little anxious of how the first week would go with our routine at home, but we are all adjusting just fine. I believe it'll only get better and easier from here on.

Mac has adjusted from part time to full time daycare just fine. He loves going to Mrs. Cindy's house! It makes this momma feel at ease when I take him and as soon as he sees her and his friends he gets a big grin on his face. :)

After work Friday evening, we loaded up and headed to Tulsa. Clete's brother's girlfriend turned 21 last Thursday, and we went to visit them and celebrate. Friday evening Mac and Honey stayed with my sister. Mac had his first sleepover at Aunt KK and Uncle Kyle's house! I'm sure it'll only be the first of many. Since we had a sitter, Clete and I were able to go out on the town to celebrate with Kelsey!

{Please ignore the poor quality of pictures, they were all snapped with our iPhones.}

Saturday morning Clete golfed, and my parents brought Mac and Honey to me. They were headed to the lake for the weekend, and dropping them off was on the way. I was so grateful they volunteered and saved me a trip back to Tulsa. We spent the afternoon and most of the evening celebrating Kelsey's birthday at a pool party her family hosted. Mac LOVED the pool! He loves bath time, so it was no surprise. I think he's going to be our little water baby.

This morning we got up and around early to head home. We went to church and the grocery store, and have spent the afternoon and evening relaxing. I've also been trying to get caught up on laundry for the work week. This past week has been a good one, and we topped it off with a fun weekend! Hope yours was a good one too!

3 months old

Today our baby boy Mac turns 3 months old. He's now 13 weeks, and I could have never imagined life could change so much in such a short period of time. He is for sure the center of our world, and we wouldn't have it any other way!

Mommy is now back to work, and Mac is going to Mrs. Cindy's house full time now. He is loving daycare! It makes it easier to drop him off knowing he enjoys it, that the other kids love him, and that his sitter enjoys him too.
Mac is smiling and talking all the time! I think he's going to have his daddy's personality, and be a talker like his Queenie. Daddy can always get him to smile or laugh, and I love watching the two of them together- it warms my heart. He is still loving his swing, bouncer, and jungle mat for activities, and is starting to sometimes like tummy time. We also just discovered he loves his bumbo chair. He loves chewing on his hands and blowing bubbles. He loves his silkie, loves bath time, and the boy loves to eat! He's mostly in 3-6 month clothes, and some 6-9 month. He's also in size 3 diapers. He's eating 5-6 oz bottles and has been sleeping through the night for about 5 or 6 weeks. He is changing every day, and getting quite the personality!

Mac,
We cannot believe that 3 whole months have already gone by. Time is going by way too fast, and you are growing and changing every day. You have brought so much joy into our life, and I can't remember what we ever did without you in it. We love watching you grow and change, and are so thankful God chose us to be your mommy & daddy. We love you more than you know, sweet boy! 
XOXO,
Mommy

Celebrating 4th of July!

It's tradition for us to spend the 4th of July holiday weekend at the lake, and this year was no different except that we had Mac joining us! We loaded up and headed that way Thursday evening after Clete got of work. It was a great weekend spent with family and friends!

Friday morning Mac woke everyone up and was ready to play at 3AM. It was the first time he had been up during the night in weeks, and I think the 3 hour nap he took on the way Thursday evening was the reasoning for this odd occurrence. After he ate and played a bit, we turned on cartoons and he went back to sleep. We then slept a while and once everyone was up Dad made his usual lake breakfast- eggs, biscuits & gravy, and sausage. After breakfast we got around and headed out to the water. My mom and Mac stayed inside Friday, but Honey spent the day out on the boat with us. She had a blast being "the only child" for the day. Ha.

Late afternoon we headed in to grill burgers and get changed before heading back out for fireworks that evening. Mac went to his first firework show, but passed out right before the big show started. 9PM is bedtime, and staying up past 9:30 to watch fireworks just didn't work out this year. 

Saturday we slept in late, then got up and all headed out to the water. Mac loved the boat, and was a trooper! I think next year we will have a little fish as much as he likes the water and to be outside. 

After dinner Saturday evening, we hit the road to come back home. We wanted to have Sunday at home to get things done since I go back to work this week. 

Tomorrow starts a new chapter. I return to work, and start life as a mom with a career. It's very bittersweet {as I sit here with tears in my eyes}. I am looking forward to getting back into a more normal routine, and also looking forward to being around adults. I work with a great group of people, and I know they'll help me get through the first few days of adjusting. I know this week will be an adjustment period, but I'm certain we will all adjust fine! 

It was a great weekend! No better way to end my maternity leave, lots of family time and soaking up sunshine. I'm closing this short little chapter, and tomorrow begins a new one!