The Seven Year Wish

Today is my 7th wedding anniversary. I really can't believe it has been that long but I also can't remember what my life was like before Ryan was a part of it. In our seven years as husband and wife, we have been through a lot but in the past year we have been through more storms than usual. In the last 12 months we've been through a job loss, two job changes, Aidan's terrible twos, unimaginable money woes, health problems and frequent changes to our schedules and routines. Thankfully, things are finally starting to slow down (fingers crossed). Although we have had some of the worst fights we have EVER had in the last year I really think we've come out much stronger as a unit. Before our epic disaster year began, we were not in a happy place as a couple. We were both working jobs we hated and we took a lot of our bitterness and frustration out on each other. Ryan wrapped himself up in Aidan 100% to a point where I didn't exist so I withdrew from both of them.

Ryan lost his job just three weeks before our anniversary last year so we weren't able to celebrate and frankly there really wasn't a marriage to celebrate. But, as we have learned first hand, crisis brings out the best and worst in people. Going through Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas last year was so hard. I am a holiday person so it was extremely hard to be miserable last season when I would find myself wishing the holidays away. He pushed me through December and helped me make the best out of a hopeless situation. For most of the year, Ryan worked a job where we didn't have a single weekly day off together. For a couple like us that has one car and is pretty much joined at the hip, this was tough. I was angry and lonely a lot of the time even though I couldn't express how I felt. Yes, it was nice to spend weekends alone with my son and it helped us bond tighter but I missed having my husband around and being able to do things as a family.

So here we are on the other side of twelve months and in a much better place. Aidan has a routine and is back in daycare with his friends. Ryan has a better paying job and he doesn't have to work weekends. I love my job and because I'm not tied to the house on weekends I have been able to pick things back up with my cupcake business, which for the most part had been on hiatus since last August. We have family time again and are even getting a cheap second car. We have come a long way but we still have a long way to go to get back to our happy place as a couple. My wish for going in to our eighth year of marriage is that things continue to improve and that we can be content as individuals, as a couple, as parents and as a family.

Prime Time Emmy Picks 2012

Award shows can be long, tedious and boring but I am still a fan. I watch the major award shows because I am competitive and love to have "pick 'em" contests against my husband to see who is better at picking winners. I also love to see the amazing and amazingly awful outfits that are on display on the red carpet. The Emmys are one of my favorites because I don't watch a lot of new movies, but I watch a lot of TV. Later in the week, I will share my 5 best and 5 worst looks of the Emmy red carpet but for now I'm going to make my picks for the actual award winners.

Comedy Series - The Big Bang Theory
Conventional wisdom says that Modern Family will win but I despise that show because I just don't find it funny and I don't understand why people rave about it so much. Since I can't pick that show even if it is a shoe in, I will choose what is, in my opinion, the best sitcom on TV.

Actress (Comedy) - Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly)

Actor (Comedy)  - Jim Parsons

Supporting Actress (Comedy) - Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory)

Supporting Actor (Comedy) - Jessie Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family)
I don't think Modern Family is funny but I am a fan of Jessie Tyler Ferguson and his work

Drama Series - Mad Men

Actress (Drama) - Claire Danes (Homeland)

Actor (Drama) - Damian Lewis (Homeland)

Supporting Actress (Drama) - Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey)

Supporting Actor (Drama) - Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones)

Mini-Series or Movie - Game Change

Actress (Mini-Series or Movie) - Julianne Moore (Game Change)

Actor (Mini-Series or Movie) - Woody Harrelson (Game Change)

Supporting Actress (Mini-Series or Movie) - Jessica Lange (American Horror Story)

Supporting Actor (Mini-Series or Movie) - Ed Harris (Game Change)


Reality Competition Host - Tom Bergeron (Dancing with the Stars)

Reality Competition Series - Top Chef

Variety Series - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart


*****UPDATE*****

Out of the 19 categories that I chose from above, I correctly predicted nine winners. I'm mad at myself for not picking Eric Stonestreet because he is hilarious. Both Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik of "The Big Bang Theory" were robbed! This wasn't one of my better years making predictions but hey... it's a Looooooooooong award season so I can do better next time.

Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

This is another super easy weekday meal. As I mentioned previously, when I make slow cooker meals during the week I put everything into the slow cooker the night before and refrigerate. In the morning before work I just take it out, put it into the heating element and set the timer.

What You Need

1 Cup of Light of Fat Free Ranch Dressing

1 Can of Cream of Celery Soup (Low Fat/Low Sodium is preferred)

2-4 Chicken Breasts

1 Package Frozen Veggies (I usually use a snap pea stir fry mix because I like the flavor of snap peas and water chestnuts with this sauce)

Salt & Pepper to taste

1/8 Cup of Water or Milk

1. Stir together the ranch dressing, soup, salt, pepper and water/milk. Mix until well combined and smooth

2. Stir in frozen veggies until well incorporated

3. Place chicken breasts into sauce and cover with lid

4. Set your slow cooker for 7 hours on low

Serve on a bed of cooked white or brown rice.

I try not to buy a lot of superfluous kitchen gadgets because my tiny kitchen really doesn't have room to store them, but an absolute must have is a good rice cooker. I was given one as a wedding gift almost seven years ago and I wonder how I got along without it. Aside from cooking perfect rice every time, a rice cooker is also a money saver. Bags of raw rice are often $1 to $2 cheaper than instant or boil in bag brands and you get much more for your money. If you are serving rice with a slow cooker meal, just measure your rice and water (I use a 2 to 1 water to rice ratio) and start your rice cooker. By the time you have changed your clothes, changed the kids and set the table your rice is ready and dinner is done.

Monday Mantra - 8/27/12

Happiness is wanting what you already have!

Family Field Trip - Smithsonian Natural History & American History Museums

Last weekend, we took the train to downtown DC and decided to explore my two favorite museums. The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Museum of American History are two places that I have been numerous times but the exhibits change often and there is always something new to see.  Both of these museums are huge so you can't really see everything in one visit. The advice I give to everyone is to figure out which exhibits you really want to see and map out your plan to visit those. If you have time, depending on how long you are visiting, then you can go back and view other exhibits.

Natural History Museum

Usually when I go here with friends or with Ryan I always make my first stop at the gemstones hall so I can see the legendary Hope Diamond and the other beautiful jewels on display. However, since an active 3 year old boy's idea of fun isn't looking at jewelry, we skipped this area on this visit. But because I believe it is a must see if you've never been, here is a picture from our 2008 visit.

Our agenda for this visit included:

• Dinosaur Fossils
• Insects
• Titanoboa
• The Ocean Hall

Aidan is really into dinosaurs and insects so those were our main objectives. As those are always the two most crowded areas, be prepared to have your foot stepped on many times and to possibly lose the rest of your party.

We also enjoyed the elephant in the rotunda that greets you upon your entering the museum. A note for photographers - this museum has really dim lighting in most areas so unless you are skilled at using your flash settings (as I am NOT) be prepared to not get the best photos in here.



Titanoboa is a special exhibit of a model of the recently discovered largest snake (thankfully extinct) to ever exist. I have to admit that the sheer size of this thing was really impressive.

American History Museum

This one is my absolute favorite museum anywhere. This was my first visit here after an intensive years long renovation and it was well worth the wait because there was something here for each of us. Our agenda for this one included:

• The Star Spangled Banner
• The Presidents & First Ladies
• Julia Child's Kitchen
• Movie/TV Memorabilia
• The Transportation Hall

The Star Spangled Banner is always my first stop when I come here but this was the first time I got to see it in it's new permanent home. This is the flag that was flying over Baltimore's Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. When the British bombed the fort in a day and night long bombardment this flag somehow survived and inspired Baltimore lawyer Francis Scott Key to write a poem that became our National anthem. As a Marylander, this flag is a great symbol of pride for me. The new exhibit is breathtaking but unfortunately they don't allow photos to be taken inside because the light has to be perfectly controlled to prevent further damage to the fragile 200 year old flag.

I also always visit the First Ladies and Presidents exhibit. This time I was able to see Michelle Obama's inaugural ball gown. Photos and videos don't do this beautiful dress justice. They have at least one gown from each First Lady so if you have a favorite you should definitely stop by. I also worship Jackie Kennedy and Hillary Clinton so I stopped by their dresses as well.

Arguably, the most famous piece in the Presidents exhibit is the hat that Abraham Lincoln wore to Ford's Theatre on the night he was assassinated. To quote Lisa Simpson... "America's greatest citizen summed up in one piece of clothing". That truly describes seeing the hat up close.

I am a foodie who spends most of my life watching cooking shows. Julia Child was the first food celebrity so seeing her kitchen at the museum is like a holy pilgrimage for me. It's quite sad that her wall of pots and pans gave me chills but I guess that's something to discuss with a therapist...

The most surprisingly enjoyable exhibit was the transportation hall. This collection of cars, trucks, trains, buses and motorcycles tells a unique tale of the modern American experience. They have a 1950's era Chicago commuter train that you can get onto and it feels like you are moving and making stops. Aidan loved it and wanted to do it over and over again.

The Hollywood Memorabilia section had something for everyone. Ryan and Aidan are comic book fans so when Ryan saw George Reeves' costume from the 1950's TV series he demanded that he and Aidan pose with the suit. This photo is now my desktop wallpaper.

I'm an old movie buff and "The Wizard of Oz" is in my top 5 so I had to stop and pay homage to the greatest movie prop ever... Dorothy's ruby slippers!

All in all it was a great day at two national treasures. After our day inside we went outside and hung out on the National Mall for a little bit to enjoy the beautiful summer day.

I'm Back!

Okay loverlies... I took a little time off from blogging to deal with some changes in my life and relax a bit. I took my blogger vacation at the end of June initially in preparation for Aidan's 3rd birthday party. Also around this time I had to take on some more responsibility at work and Ryan found a new job. With Ryan's new job came many changes in our household. A new commute, a new weekly schedule, Aidan back at daycare 2 days a week and the stress of Ryan's new job learning curve.

Now that I coming back to my blog, I'm coming back with some new ideas including videos and a wider variety of subject matter. I'll have some new posts coming this week... I promise :)

Kinda Chicken Caccitore

I love classic one pot meals like chicken caccitore. Chicken caccitore is traditionally a long cooked stew that is made with tomatoes, onions, peppers and mushrooms. My version is a quicker, weeknight friendly version that omits the mushrooms because they are on Ryan's "will not eat" list. If you and your family enjoy mushrooms, feel free to add them but this version is just as good without them.

What You Need:

• 1 Can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes
• Chicken pieces (the amount varies on the part of the chicken you are using and how many people you are serving. When I made it this time, I used 4 drumsticks)
• 1/2 Package of frozen pepper and onion stir fry veggies (like the kind made by Birdseye)
• 1 Teaspoon Oregano
• 1 Teaspoon Basil
• 1 Teaspoon Garlic powder
• Salt, Pepper and Red Pepper Flakes to taste

*****

1. Combine half of the canned tomatoes, the frozen veggies and seasonings in the bottom of a baking dish.

2. Nestle chicken pieces into sauce and veggie mixture.

3. Pour remaining tomatoes on top and bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 35 minutes or until chicken is cooked completely through.

4. Serve over cooked pasta and top with parmesan cheese if desired.