Recipe for Cheesy Pasta Sausage

Here's a quick and easy recipe I made from things I had in my pantry

1 package chicken sausage (can be spicy or mild)
1/2 bag of roasted peppers and onions (frozen)
1 can rotel tomato's
1 can fiesta cheese soup + 1/2 can water
1/2 box of whole wheat penne pasta cooked

Saute peppers and onions in large skillet over medium high heat. Slice and add sausage and brown on all sides. While the veggies and meat are cooking, mix soup and rotel tomato's in large bowl along with 1/2 soup can of water until well combined. Once the veggies and sausage are browned, add cooked pasta and tomato cheese mixture. Continue cooking on medium low heat until flavors combine. Enjoy!

Welcome to 2010

The holidays are finished, toys put away, boxes taken by the garbage truck and life is back to "normal". Whatever that means. This was the first full week back at school and work for everyone and nobody liked it! The holidays went by so fast but we had a great time, especially on Christmas morning. We went to Pam and Paul's the night before like usual and got home at around 10:30. I had to wake EJ up in the morning to show him that Santa had come! The look on his face when he saw his ride on truck was priceless. He was stunned for a full 5 minutes before he woke up and really got into presents!!!
Winter has already reared its ugly head many, many times. We've been hit with 14 inches of snow in one storm, bitter cold temperatures and the temperatures hasn't been above 32 in weeks. I know its much colder other parts of the country but this long cold spell has been rough! I am soooo happy I found a jacket that I love that keeps me toasty warm!!
Trying to be good and get back into regular exercise. I had this weird ear issue, called tinuitis last month that caused flapping noises in my ear. I had to take it easy and rest so I was out of zumba for a week or so. I now take the class but with earplugs to help protect my ears from the noise. Still love it!!!
Elijah is growing up too fast. The other night he was crawling around in his bed and tried to get over the top of his rail - he fell right out of bed. He came running out bawling his eyes out saying "mama do I need stitches" ... I was thankful that NO he did not, nor did he need a cast!! This kid is going to shave 20 years off of my life!! He's doing very well in his 3 year old room, he is practicing writing his name - its soo cute!! He brings home these amazing art projects, I have started a box of his projects to save them to show them as he gets older. He is still best friends with Jordan, they pal around together at school and play together on the weekends when we can.
Chris's health issues seems to have resolved themselves. He is "on a mission" to eat healthier. They just had the annual "he-man" meeting and they are heading out to California this year - San Francisco to be exact. How jealous am I? I LOVE San Fran!!!
Starting to plan a trip to Disney for the family in late May!!! How exciting. I can't wait to go, we will have so much fun!!!
That's about it for now - so much to look forward to this year!!!

Update long overdue

Ok so its been awhile since I posted to the blog... Elijah is getting so big, he has made that transition from toddler to kid. He's tall and skinny and funny! The other night he told his grandmother about how he got upset over his milk but the "he got a grip" Too funny!

I've been doing zumba, this dance/exercise class and I LOVE IT. I'm actually a bit addicted, I have taken back to back classes, 4 classes a week and get really bummed out when I can't go. I haven't lost much weight but that goes back to the whole emotional eating factor (which is for another rainy day).

Chris has been struggling with some strange health issues, the latest is a painful patch of skin. He's been in and out of the doctor's office but nothing glaring has come out of it.

Elijah turned 3 on October 2nd. We had a party with his friends from school, they were so cute together!! We went bowling and had pizza and cake. I actually made his cake with a little help from ebay!

That is probably the quick update, hopefully will post more soon.

end of May/early June updates

So blogging after a half a bottle of wine or more might not be the best idea - or maybe it is the best idea ever - we'll see! We had Elijah's teachers tonight over for dinner and it was a really good time. We are sad to leave them but so happy that Elijah is moving on to the next phase in his life. He's been doing so well, he's fully potty trained(woohoo!) and being such a good boy. His new obsession is his froggy boots that he even napped in today!

So, I was diagnosed with lactose intolerance. I FINALLY have a diagnosis but yet it is so hard. EVERYTHING has dairy in it, you would be amazed. I found some decent creamer and will probably end up losing a few lbs but we'll see! We had cheesecake tonight and it was so hard not to have some! Also not picking a little at the dinner was hard, there were things I could not eat. Wish me luck!

I had the last week off and had so much fun with Elijah. We hung out, played, danced, shopped. We were two peas in a pod. Its going to be so hard going back to work next week. I can't remember ever having so much fun with him. The weather sucked but it was fine. We sat and loved on the couch and just had so much together. I spoiled him rotten!!!

Ok that's the latest and greatest. Off to sleep to try to sleep off this impending hangover.

May showers...bringing me down

It won't stop raining and its making me crazy! I need sunshine back - I put my Facebook profile pic back to the one in Puerto Rico so I can relive the sunshine!!

Elijah is struggling with potty training, we thought we had hit the home stretch but no go. He lasted in undies for one day and that was enough. They say with boys it takes a long time but this is getting a bit much! He knows what to do, he's just being stubborn.

Elijah went to the Bluefish game a few weeks ago and got to run the bases. It was a defining moment in his young life for so many reasons. They have the kids run by themselves and he was not afraid at all. He took off all by himself and ran like a pro. I teared up as he came to homeplate, a little from pride but mostly from the distinct realization that my son is growing up. He's become a little boy, morphing into a little man from my little baby boy. I still get a little choked up when I think about it - he is growing up too fast. I couldn't be a prouder mommy though that is for sure.

Planning our Memorial Day bash - hopefully folks can make it, always nice to have a party at the house. We've done quite a bit of work lately, the lawn looks amazing with the new grass. Painted our bedroom a nice medium chocolate brown. Got new bedding and it came together very nicely. Hung a clothesline but I can't use it because of the rain! Grrr!! Looking into getting the driveway paved, hopefully that won't cost an arm and a leg.

The lilacs are coming in and the smell is intoxicating. Takes me back to being a kid in my grandpa's yard. He had 6 HUGE lilac trees and every year they bloomed so beautifully! I would cut the stems and sell them for a nickel.

More to come soon....

Two months later....

So I am finally posting again - apparently keeping up with this was not part of the plan ;). Elijah is absolutely driving me crazy. I know he's a 2 year old but seriously how much patience can one person have? He's fresh, stubborn and amazing and delicious all in one little package! Chris and I are really struggling to keep up with the balance of patience/discipline and humor. The past few weeks have been really hectic, we're hardly ever home anymore! The latest on Elijah is when he goes to bed at night he sits and talks and talks. It is some of the most amusing conversations I hear that he has with his friends! We also found out when he's staring Preschool (July 6th) and I am so happy and yet so sad in the same breath. I miss my little baby boy but its also so rewarding watching him blossom into this amazing little boy. Elijah and I got a bird feeder so we can feed the birds in the neighborhood

Ok admitting out loud - I am doing weight watchers. I lost 1 lb the first week but honestly didn't really follow the program so I'm happy! Wish me luck -this is the epic battle of my life.

This weekend is supposed to be wonderful, warm and sunny so should be good for the soul!

More to come soon!

My first entry

Ok so nobody is going to read this and that's ok. I just wanted an outlet to express who I am and what my life is all about. I am 36 (almost 37) going on 22 and the mother of a crazy little boy. I have been married for 5 years, been together for almost 9. I live in CT but have had a crazy life growing up in both Minnesota and Montana. There is SOOOO much in between then and now that has shaped who I am I wouldn't even know where to start. One day I'll start a post on the events that happened that brought me here today.

I am home laid up with a bum foot, having had foot surgery last week to remove a bunion. It is forced rest and something that I don't ever do - and that is take care of myself. I have few friends but those that I do have I cherish. I've come a long way in my life from being this doormat that took whatever people gave me because it was attention to only accepting people in my life who are good for me. I started to put into relationships what I was getting out of them after my son was born for the simple reason, I just didn't have time to be the first person to call, to send an email or to say I'm sorry. I have lost a few friends along the way and that's OK with me. I have spent too much of my life apologizing for wrongdoings that quite frankly, were never wrong. I am finally at a point in my life where I feel like I can stand my ground and state how I feel and that's OK. I guess that call that growing up? Right.

So my son is my life. I feel guilty about being a working mom but in my heart I know that I could never stay home full time. I need outlets for my energy and people to interact with. I don't know enough moms who do stay at home that I would feel fulfilled. I am not saying stay at home moms are better or worse - it just isn't for me. The time I do spend with Elijah is spent loving and nurturing him. I give him everything he needs and he knows how loved he is. I want him growing up with a mom who could work and still be there for him when he needs me. So far, I think I've done a pretty good job.

My hubby Chris and I are total opposites. He's laid back, easy going where I am the planner and the organizer. I am also a bit high strung which is good for us because he and I bring each other down (or up!) as the case may be. Opposites do attract - 9 years and he still cracks me up and makes me feel special.

That's probably enough rambling for now. I started this blog to keep folks posted on Elijah and our life since I don't have time always to reach out to everyone personally as much as I would like.