Laying the Drama to Rest

To all those who have read and commented on this post, thank you!  I make a point of commenting on other's blogs when they comment for me, but I think I have fallen behind.  So, I wanted to do a sort of blanket post to you all.  I appreciate your support while I was trying to navigate through weird waters.

After having a chance to simmer down, I still think what this woman did is wrong, but I feel more sorry for her than anything.  It's pathetic really.  Stealing other's words is no form of flattery.  It's just sad.  I am thinking that this woman must need some serious help.  Perhaps she has a gaping hole in her life, and simply craved the attention we all love from blogging.  Perhaps that was enough to drive her to do strange things. 

In the end, it was just words....for me.  For Erin, it was a picture of her children.  Again, crazy....but sad.  Oh, and for those of you who asked how I found this woman...it was actually through Erin.  She sent an email to several bloggers as a heads up and asking if we knew of her.  I didn't.  I was nosy.  I went to snoop.  I found my posts.  I was ticked.  I wrote my post.

Deb at Menopausal New Mom and Erin at The Mother Load both wrote posts about this too.  I agree with what they wrote.  We should look out for one another.  It is, afterall, a community we have built here.  A place we all feel comfortable and confident to share, in many cases, our innermost selves.

Now, I'd like to lay the drama of it all to rest.  I have enough drama in my every day life, I'd like to keep my blogging as free of it as possible.  Missy, if you're reading this...I hope you find the help and support you need to find your own inner confidence, and your own writing voice should you choose to continue blogging.

Going forward I suppose we could all learn a little from this experience.  I am going to look into protecting my pictures at the very least.  Will you?

There is a Theif in Our Midst....This ISN'T a JOKE!!!!!!!

http://is-it-just-me-missy.blogspot.com/2010/03/out-of-my-mouth.html

Read the post to the link above...You see it's dated March 9 2010...right?  Well, read my post dated 11/22/09. 
http://www.arizonamamma.com/2009/11/from-mouths-of-moms.html

Another of hers http://is-it-just-me-missy.blogspot.com/2010/03/germs-are-my-enemy.html

And mine http://www.arizonamamma.com/2009/11/things-that-make-you-say-hmmmmgross.html

Again, notice mine was up first!
Just a fair warning to all my blogging comrades out there.  This woman has also taken photos from The Mother Load of her children apparently trying to pass them off as her own.

Note to Missy,

It would seem to me that while it may not be illegal to "steal" others thougths, and blatantly plagiarize someone's blog...it is unethical to say the least.  I can't believe you have amassed your group of followers using the words of countless others.  If you don't have something unique enough to say, don't post.  I don't appreciate this sort of behavior, and will look into reporting your blog.

To all my other blogging friends,
You may want to comb through her pictures/posts to see what she may have of yours.  Just sayin'.

Mamma Say What?

A while back I did a post about the things I find myself saying as a mom.  Things which, in any other context, would be highly inappropriate.  Could you imagine what any other person would think if you said any of this to them? 

"No, it wouldn't be funny for a shark to eat you.  Because it would hurt, and you would bleed."

"Colton! Get off the table...this isn't a zoo." (because that is acceptable behavior at the zoo).

"Don't pick your nose...it's like poop!  It's nose poop!"

"Wait, why are you yelling at me?" (I always find myself saying "wait" as if they will actually pause).

"Colton, please take my underwear off your head."

"Colton...what do you have? (inward gasp) Give mommy that nail right now!!" (a long rusted nail he found outside).

"No honey, I don't like it when you lick my arm."

My nose to Colton's bottom "Whew, you are stinky! Are you poopy?"  (Hello! Good one, genius).

"No, you can't have a cookie.  No not before lunch.   No, you need lunch first.  Lunch is in a little bit.  I said no, don't ask again. One small cookie, but that's it!"

"Addyson, you can't see the poop.  Because it's gross, and I already wrapped up his diaper."

I must say at least half a dozen off the wall things every day.  It obviously comes with the territory, because talking about all things poop is perfectly normal conversation in the company of other moms.  Right?

Tasty Tuesday...An Arizona Mamma Original

Okay...It's been long enough since I have posted a legitimate recipe on Tuesday, and I know how many of you rely on me to feed your family (I have self importance issues).  So I'm back with a recipe I invented out of necessity one night.  If you are seeking something healthy, seek somewhere else.  If you are seeking something cheesy and oh so yummy, look no further.  I bring you a lasagna style casserole.  Except it's not really lasagna.  It's, well, just read on...


Arizona Mamma's Casserole

Ingredients:
1Pkg Chicken (approx. 1lb boneless breast or thigh)
1 Bag whole wheat wide egg noodles
1 bag frozen chopped spinach (thawed...is that an oxymoron?)
1 8oz package of cream cheese
1/2 yellow onion (minced)
2-3 cloves garlic (minced)
36oz of your favorite spaghetti sauce
1 1/2-2 Cups cheddar cheese
1 1/2 Cups fresh grated parmesan (not canned)

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Spray a 13X9 baking dish with nonstick spray, set aside.

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, and set aside.

Saute onion and garlic in a medium pan til soft.  Add thawed spinach and cook through.  Add cream cheese, mix well and keep warm.

Cube raw chicken, and saute(use non stick spray or a bit of olive oil) in a large pan until no longer pink.  Add spaghetti sauce.

Now, for the layering.  You can layer them any way you'd like...but here's how I did it.

Layer 1/3 chicken mixture then top with 1/2 of the noodles.  Layer additional 1/3 chicken mixture again. Top with all of the spinach/cream cheese.  Layer all of the parmesan cheese.  Top with remaining noodles, remaining chicken mixture.  Top with cheddar cheese. 

Bake until heated through, then broil at 550 degrees til slightly browned at edges and bubbly.

Serve it with whatever you want!  Steamed broccoli, or asparagus are great.  Again, this is an invention so it has only ever been taste tested by our family, but it was a major hit with everyone.  If you like cheesy, and tasty, then give it a try. Wish I had pictures for you...maybe one of you can make it and get some photos for me. Hey, figured it was worth a shot ;)

I'm Tired. So the Filter in My Brain Isn't Working Properly...You'll See What I Mean.

I survived the party at our house today.  It was pretty easy really.  But now I am just wiped out!  So I am going to get my Sunday post done and go to bed.  Keely is awesome.  Did you know that?  She always sends me the questions early so I can play along since I have my class on Sunday.  This week's questions are interesting to say the least.  Here they are:


1 - Why did you start blogging?
To save the world.  Or just because I thought it would be a fun way to document memories and then be able to have them all printed into a keepsake book.  I'd love to have something like that now if my mom had done it.  Of course, she would never start a blog today (right, mom?).


2 - Who's the one blog friend that you would want to meet most in "real life"?
I just get warm and fuzzy thinking about her.  ;)  All I'll say, is that she knows who she is!


3 - Why are you always concerned with losing that "extra 10 pounds" when chances are your husband/boyfriend/friends tell you that you look just fine the way you are?
Because I don't believe him, and more importantly, because the extra 10 pounds are 10 pounds that weren't there before I got pregnant.  I just want to have my whole wardrobe of clothes opened up to me again.  Nothing too vain, just don't want to buy more clothes.

4 - What's the one thing you wish guys could understand about you?
About me?  Like me specifically?  I actually think most men have understood me better than a lot of women.  I have always gotten along really well with the male species. 

5 - Tattoos. How many do you have and how many are visible when you wear your "everyday" clothes?
A big fat zero.  None.  I've never wanted anything enough to have it permanently etched into my skin.  Don't mind them on others...just not my thing.

6 - What was the best year of your life and why?
This is impossible to answer.  There are stand out events in many years, but no one year that is so great as to tower above the rest.  Each and every year is one I can say has been full of both all things wonderful, and not so wonderful.

7 - Name three things you would do if you were a man for one day.
I'm just gonna say it...have sex.  Of course, this would mean that my husband and I have switched places since I am married (because there is no other way I would do this).  But I do wonder why men seem to like it so much more (generally speaking) than women.  Not that I don't...okay, I'm done talking about that.  Can't think of anything else right now...but I think that's big enough to count for three.

8 - What's your alcoholic drink of choice that usually raises a few eyebrows?
I don't drink anything that raises eyebrows.  I like dark beer...people typically find that unusual.  But I like a good glass of wine too.  I'm afraid my days of "buffalo sweat" and "prarie fire" are long over.


So that's it.  I'd be mighty happy to read what you have to say as well.  You can link up with Keely, or you can leave me your answers right here.  Happy Sunday!

While You Were Sleeping

I'm not exactly sure when it happened...but I've been trained.  I'm so ashamed.  Once upon a time I stood my ground. I made a statement, and I held to it.  Was I only dreaming? 

When Addyson came along, she began training me immediately.  Boy, was I surprised.  See, I was so sure that I would be training her.  I even planned to have her eat and sleep on a schedule.  She was going to be the best sleeping baby that ever graced God's green earth.  I even read Babywise in preparation.  Well, Addyson did not read her copy of the book, and she had other plans.  For twelve weeks I held her for every nap.  Well, I did, or Andy did (don't even get me started there, we were so at each other's throats).  Holding her at naptime wouldn't have been so bad if she would have slept in a sling so I could multi task.  Heck, I would have been happy if she would have let me hold her and just read a book.  Again, she had her own ideas.  My darling daughter had to be in her room, with the shudders closed, in my lap while rocking in the glider.  If one of these criteria wasn't met, all hell (yes hell) broke out in the Arizona Mamma household.  So you see, she has been working us from the start.

When she was 12 weeks, I was finally determined to teach her how to sooth herself at naptime.  This bolgna started to seep into our nights (which to that point had been just fine, she'd nurse two or three times a night and go straight back down), so we sleep trained.  It was the best thing I ever could have done...for her, for me... for my marriage ;)  In three days time she would go down for a nap in her own crib with no soothing from me.  Amazing.

Today, I was thinking about this as I lay next to her during rest time.  It dawned on me that somewhere along the way, she worked me over.  Did you notice the first sentence of this paragraph?  That's right...as I lay next to her during rest time (insert record skip).  It's the only way I can get her to nap now, and even that is failing lately.  So I may throw in the towel.  We may just give up once and for all on the old naptime for Addyson.  That or I'll still be sleeping with her when I'm 80. 

Black and White Wednesday...Colton

I have never jumped on the Long Road to China Train...but today seemed as good a day as any.  This, of course, is my little Colton.  I originally took this in color, and Andy was in it too.  Andy despised it of himself.  So I cropped in on Colton, changed it to black and white, and upped the contrast a little bit.  Much better.  Colton is, 90% of the time, just this snuggly.

No Tasty Tuesday Today

I know you all are just crushed that I am not posting a recipe today! Somehow, I am certain you'll survive ;)

It seems I have been toking on the crack pipe again (I hate it when I do that), and have agreed to host a party here this Saturday for my husband's sales team. Fortunately it's a BBQ type, so we will be using the grill which alleviates the need for me to use my culinary skills...sorta.

Seeing as how I am not the best house keeper in the West (remember this one?), I have a lot to do to ready myself for company.  Sigh.  Hours of cleaning just for mass destruction with the party...sorta.  It's not like it's a bunch of animals coming over...though at times I might argue that they are ;)

In any case, as I was sitting on my duff last night, going through emails, and commenting on some of your blogs, I just couldn't muster the energy to get my act together.  Not uncommon around these parts.  Again, I feel confident that somehow none of you will go quietly insane without a recipe from yours truly.

Mom N' Me Moday

In anticipation of my participation in this new and fabulous meme (shhh...don't tell my friend Julie that it is in fact a meme), I had Andy take a few pictures of me with the kids.  I'm quickly remembering why I am never on the receiving end of the lens.  It's a lot of work if I want to look even remotely presentable.  Here are a couple pictures he took...not bad on his part!

First attempt...not half bad.  Next let's see if we can all look at the camera.

That would be a "negative ghost rider"...apparently for Colton..."the pattern is full."

Yes, Addyson...what a lovely and natural looking smile you have.

Me with Drew.  I am not in many pictures with any of my kids, but far too few with this big guy.

So we did two.  I think he is actually pretty photogenic.

So, there you have it.  Thanks to Julie, I am gettin' in the picture with my little ones.  Surely something that will have me grateful for years and years to come.

Can't wait to see the rest of you with your own precious little people.  Just link up when you're done so we can all have a peek ;)

Five Years Ago Today...

...I said "I do" to a man who couldn't be more perfectly matched to me.  We certainly have our share of difficult times, and disagreements, but I'm happier with him than I ever could have imagined.  In five short years it seems as if we've lived a lifetime...with a lifetime yet to go.  I cherish the memories we have made so far and look forward, with anticipation, to the memories to come.  Here are a few memories from that amazing day...

This last one is of me singing along with our song.  So typical.

This was a day I will never forget.  It was beautiful, and fun and everything I hoped it would be.  It was the perfect beginning to mine and Andy's life together.  Happy Five Years, Andy.  I love you.

I'm Weird...Here's Another Reason Why

Many already realize that I am weird have some wonderful quirks.  I am about to divulge another.  When I was a baby I received a white and yellow blanket.  As I grew I became very attached to it.  The blanket (bidey as I called it) went everywhere I went.  Everywhere.  I sucked my thumb too.  While sucking my thumb I would hold the blanket up to my nose so I could breath in the scent it had acquired after being dragged through who knows what.  I am going to digress here to tell you all that Addyson does the same thing.  She, however, sucks the first two fingers on her right hand.  She started that around 12 weeks, and hasn't stopped.  I'm not anxious to make her stop either.  It's her comfort, and it doesn't bother me in the least.  I find it amusing that she holds her blanket to her nose the way I did.

So...back to my blanket.  In second grade my blanket was looking like it had seen better days (yes, I still had it in second grade...but it stayed home at least).  The woman who babysat my brother and I after school was awesome at knitting blankets, and she had been working on one for a while.  It was pink and brown.  I asked her who it was for and she said her son, Brian.  Pink and brown?  Strange.  She lied...turns out it was for me.  I happily accepted the blanket, but wouldn't trade it for my yellow and white one.  Until....it just fell apart.  I was so sad, but slowly I got used to my new blanket.  My pink and brown beauty.

Here's where it gets really interesting...I still have that blanket!  I am quite proud to announce that it is in my lap as I type this, and I have it with my husband and me in bed every night.  Yep.  I'll be 34 next month, but I still have a blankey.  I imagine you might be a little relieved to know that I don't suck my thumb.  That I stopped well before second grade ;) 




P.S.  Cop Mama was my total and complete inspiration for this post.  In fact, I was going to leave her a lengthy comment on this post, and decided to write my own instead.  Thanks, Cop Mama!!

Tasty Tuesday...One of My Husband's Favorites

In the question and answer post my husband so happily reluctantly did he mentioned a couple of his favorite meals made by me.  It dawned on me that I have never posted either one of them.  So today I bring you...


Salmon Scallopini: For all you salmon lovers, this one is pretty darn good if I do say so myself.  All measurements in this recipe are approximations because it is one from the old noggin'.  I played around a couple different times before settling on this, and now it's almost the only way we will have it in our home.

Ingredients:

1.5 pounds fresh Salmon fillet (about 4-6 oz per person...so more or less depending on family size).
Olive oil
2 Tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
2 Tablespoons capers
2 Roma tomatoes (diced)
1/4 Cup white wine
3/4 Cup Chicken broth
1 Teaspoon cornstarch (mixed with 1 teaspoon water)

Instructions:

Remove any skin from Salmon, and cut into 4 to 6 oz portions.  Coat the bottom of a large heavy bottomed skillet with olive oil (you don't want to fry, but you do want your pan coated).  Set aside.  Melt butter in a medium sized skillet over medium-low heat.  Add garlic and saute till tender, but not brown.  Wisk in wine, and simmer, letting liquid reduce by about half.  Wisk in chicken broth and continue to let simmer.

Now heat your large olive oil coated skillet over medium-high heat.  Add salmon in a single layer (cook in batches if needed).  Cook through (length will depend upon thickness of fillets, about 3.5 minutes per side). Fish will flake fairly easily when cooked done.  Remove from heat and plate the salmon.  Add capers, tomatoes and cornstarch to your wine sauce and wisk in.  Allow to heat through for about 30 seconds, then pour the mixture over the salmon.  Serve.

It's great served with or over a simple angel hair pasta, and steamed asparagus on the side.  You could go crazy and do some garlic bread as well.  It's a favorite (mostly) all the way around in our home. 




P.S.  I really dislike tile counter tops!

Gettin' in the Picture for Mom n' Me Monday

My friend Julie from The Peanut Gallery came up with a fun idea, and a great way to enourage us all to get out from behind the camera and in front of it a bit more....with our kids!  I love this seeing as how I definitely need more pictures of me with my little ones.  Especially while they are still little.  So today, I am showing you all a picture that Andy took.  There was a little hand blur going on, so I messed with it a bit, and I happen to like it very much.

This is me with my little guy, Colton. Oh, I love him!  He really wasn't trying to avoid my kiss ;)

Your turn.  I'm looking forward to seeing more pictures of you moms (and dads!) with your kiddos.  Why not start today?  Just post a picture of yourself with one of your kids, and link back to Julie at The Peanut Gallery. 

Keely's Got Questions...and I've Got Answers

I'm hitchin' a ride on the Keely train again today.  I know she has a new button, but I'm a rebel.  I like the old one because it links back to her blog.  So maybe I'm not a rebel so much as I am lazy and I just don't have the energy to cut/copy the new button and create a link too.  You can play along by simply answering the following questions in a post of your own and linking it up to Keely's blog.  Go ahead....give it a try.


1. What's your favorite Easter candy?
Toss up between the two most disgustingly awesome candies ever.  Cadburry Creme Eggs, or Marshmallow Peeps.  I'd have to go with the Creme Egg.  I could go for one right now.


2. Who do you think is cleaner..men or women?
This is a loaded question.  Honestly I think it depends on the person.  I have seen absolute slobs from both categories.  I think my husband and I are equally matched in the clean department.

3. Which do you prefer..wordy blog posts or ones with pictures?
My answer is not a definite one or the other.  In general, I like the posts that are not ultra long, however...when it is well written and keeps my attention, then I like it.  Pictures are always great, whether the post is long or short.

4. Were you popular in highschool?
I was in this strange sort of limbo land.  I had friends from the "cool crowd," and ones from the "not so cool crowd."  I honestly felt like I could relate to the uncool kids better than my other friends.  Not sure what that makes me.  After all this time, still trying to figure out where I belong :)

5. What's your bra size?
All I'm going to say to this, is that after nursing my two little ones for over a year each...my breasts could now be featured on the front cover of National Geographic.  How's that for a mental image?

6. How many states have you lived in?
Four.  California, Arizona, Massachusettes, back to Arizona, Colorado, and back to Arizona...in that order.

7. What's one blog you read every day?
I don't know that there is one blog that I read every day.  There are several that I read each time they post, but it's not daily usually.  I know this is all in an effort to get me to name drop.  Just look at the blogs I have listed on the right side of my blog.  I really love them all.  They are the ones I frequent.

8. Peanut butter or Nutella?
It took me forever to try Nutella, and I do think it's tasty...but I have to go with good ol' peanut butter.  Love it in my oatmeal.

So, any of you braver than I am with the whole bra question?  Really, that's just one tid bit that I don't feel like shouting from the rooftops...or putting in a blog post ;)  Regardless, you can answer any or all of the questions right here in the comments if you decide not to do a post of your own. 

Giveaway Winners and Raw e Challenge

My giveaway ended yesterday, and I would be remiss if I didn't post the winners today...so I decided to squeeze that in with my Raw e challenge from Sailor and Company.  More on that in a minute...winners first.

The first winner is for Pursenickety and that's #31...Sonora of Twinfinity! 

The Second winner is for Bella BeJeweled and that's #47...Julie of The Peanut Gallery...Exit Here.

Congratulations, ladies.  All you have to do is be sure that I have your email addresses and I will give them to each sponsor.  Then they will be in touch with you regarding the next step. 

Thanks to everyone who entered!  Each of these sponsors have items that are so reasonably priced, that if you didn't win...you should head over and treat yourself anyway.  Why not?  Just click the links above and check out their stores.  There is some really cool stuff.

Now on to my Raw e entry.  I have yet to even come close to winning one of these things, but I'll tell you what...it's still a really fun exercise.  Sami at Sailor and Company hosts this each week.  The cut off to enter is Friday, so I am just under the wire...I hope.  In order to play along, you need to take a picture having to do with the week's theme, and you can not edit it in any way.  Not even any cropping.  Nothing...Nada!  Got it? Good...then play along next week.  You'll like it I am sure.  This week's theme was crayons, so here goes...

There you have it.  Not stellar by any stretch, but good practice for me.  Head over to Sami's blog to see the other crayon pictures.  I promise there are some much more impressive than this one ;)

Andy's Answers to All of Your Questions

Okay, you all asked, and my husband answered.  One of the qualifiers to get him to do this was that I could in no way edit what he wrote.  So this is all him, without any meddling from me.  I didn't say, however, that I wouldn't add my two cents if I felt it warranted.  Just saying...and if my two cents does show up anywhere, it will be in orange.  Now, on to your questions and his answers.

Melis of The Zookeeper's Diary asked: If your wife could have any profession BESIDES being a SAHM, what would you want it to be? And why? And do you read her blog? What do you think of it? And finally, would you ever consider moving your family to where I live and buying the house next-door so we can all be IRL friends? Is that weird?

Any profession – A photographer seeing as she has an eye and a passion for it.


Do I read her Blog? – Are you all kidding?…hardly ever, but I don’t need to…I live it everyday.

What do I think of her blog? – I have always thought her to possess a true gift when it comes to that of the written form…On the occasion when I curl up with a cup of coffee and my computer to catch up on the latest prose of “Arizonamamma,” she confirms my thoughts.

Would I consider moving to be your neighbors and is that weird? – I know you are joking…

Keely from MannLand5 wanted to know: What made you fall in love with your wife? How did you 2 meet? Will you have more kids? :-) What do all do for fun as a family? What do you think your wife's best physical feature is? What do you do for a living?

What made me fall in love with your wife? – her independence, beauty, charm and her complete acceptance of me.

How did we meet? -We worked together on an outside sales team.

Will we have more kids? – I can’t answer this one on my own…AZMAMMA has a pretty big stake in this answer as well…however, if it were up to me I think that there will be no more children conceived.

What do we all do for fun as a family? – Every Saturday morning we get up just as the sun is about to rise in the East…saying East is silly…doesn’t it always rise in the East? Anyway, we ALL get up just before the sun rises…we bring plenty of water, lunch and our trimming shears…we hike 13 miles (AZMAMMA and I take turns pulling our two youngest children in the wagon, they certainly couldn’t make the trek on their own) to the llama farm and we sneak into their grazing area….On even days AZMAMMA lasso’s three of these creatures while I teach the children how to shave cool designs into their fur….on odd days, we switch places…The kids find this absolutely hysterical and the llamas, well they don’t seem to mind one bit either….On the way home we usually dig 2 random holes with a large baking spoon (I don’t find this particular activity “fun” at all, but the rest of the family does and sometimes we gotta do what we gotta do). (If you all think this is serious, then you haven't been reading my blog for very long...I would never let anyone use my baking spoon to dig holes).

What do I think my wife’s best physical feature is? – AZMAMMA was very blessed when it comes to her ‘4th point of contact,” her rear end. This, in my humble opinion, is her best physical feature….****This is where I must put my disclaimer, I am sure that ALL of you were hoping for some romantic answer like the beautiful sparkle in her eyes when she is truly happy, or the curls in her hair when she styles it my favorite way…maybe you even wanted me to answer with the color of her lips after she has had a glass of wine…but what can I say? I am an ass man and even after two children that shit ROCKS!!!!(Sorry, there should have been a disclaimer regarding the PG13 language...this is the only spot though).

What do I do for a living? – I work in a sales management job for ADP

Dondi at Confessions of a Housewife asked: Westpoint. Did you like it, was it worth it....I wanna know.
West Point is one of those places that is wonderful to be from and not be at…but looking back, in a warped demented type of way, I did enjoy it. I certainly took it seriously and internalized the discipline. Was it worth it? Yes, I would not go back and do it any differently

Liz from Harmonysong wanted to know: Most favorite (material) gift you have ever given Arizona Mamma?
I would have to say the amethyst heart and chain that I got for her on her 1st Mother’s Day. (I can't resist...I have to explain a little more why this one is so great.  It has amethyst which is Addyson's birthstone, and a tiny bit of diamond, which is mine...it was the most perfect Mother's Day gift ever...very thoughtful).

Julie of The Peanut Gallery kindly asked: What is the weirdest thing that your lovely wife has done since you've known her?
 I can choose only one?…That hardly seems fair as many situations I find myself in with her are weird, not to mention all the stories I have heard of the weird antics of this person…and they are weird because she makes them so. I have struggled with this one and I thought, could it be the time that she clucked like a rooster as she was following behind a group of people? Could it be the time that she dissected a water dog while bored on a fishing trip? Could it be the time she shouted a reminder out of the car window as I trekked through the busy supermarket parking lot, “Don’t forget your hemorrhoid cream!”…No, these are all weird, but I gotta say one of her finest moments occurred on this blog. Her post about peeing while she laughs was a little uncomfortable for me. Many of you may disagree, but the whole time I was reading that rather strange post, I couldn’t help but be mortified. I mean I kept thinking to myself, “Why is she sharing this with the whole blog reading world? Hell, I didn’t even know that she was stricken with this rather strange condition!”….NOW THAT’S JUST WEIRD! (To save you the trouble you can read the post here...it's not as bad as he says...I never claimed to pee when I laugh).

Kate of Kate's Life wants to know: 1) What does your wife do or say that just makes you melt? 2) What do you love the most about her? 3) Do you have a nickname for her? 4) Is there a limit to how many questions I can ask?

OK KATE IT’S FINALLY YOUR TURN…..

What does AZMAMMA say that makes me melt? – You wanna (bow-chicka-bow-bow)…?(Kate, I never say bow chicka bow bow....not ever).

What do I love most about her? – The wonderful mother that she is…

Do I have a nickname for her? – No I do not.

Is there a limit to how many questions you can ask? – you just reached it…

Desert Rose asked: Seeing how AZ Mamma and I are fellow Arizonans...just what is it that she likes to do around these parts?

She likes to spend time with her family in Phoenix…she is extremely close to her family

His sister Melissa asked: Andy, if you were stranded on a island with one of your siblings, which one would you rather it be and why?
Seeing as how this was asked by one of my siblings I can’t, in good conscience, answer this. A very fine gentlemen recently advised me to steer clear of offending any one of my siblings, because if you do it may permanently damage a relationship no matter how many “I’m sorry’s” you try to throw at said situation…

Drea of Peanut Butter Jelly Days asked: Honestly, what do you think of your wife blogging? do you think it has taken too much time from everyday things, or do you see it as a good outlet for her?


Honestly what do I think of my wife blogging? – She enjoys it…I say blog away

Do I think that it has taken too much time from everyday things or do I see it as a good outlet for her? Sometimes I feel it interferes with our time together…She never lets it interfere with the childrens' time…but when I ask her if I can get some of her time she obliges…As far as a good outlet for her – sure, I guess so.

Scott of This Daddy's Blog asked: Being a sports fan the best event I have ever been to was the Army-Navy game many years ago at the Meadowlands since you were part of that tradition, besides that what is the best sporting event you have ever attended?
Back when I was 12 my Dad took me to a rodeo. I thought that the rodeo was pretty cool, but the idea that pops and I got to spend some time together – that was truly spectacular. He is one of two men that I truly idolize in life…(His dad really is a wonderful man, and though this may make it seem so, was not absent from Andy's life...he did travel a lot in the military, but Andy just treasures any and all time with his dad).

Heide of From 3 to 5 asked: Do you love Seinfeld as much as AZ Mamma? What is your favorite TV show? What is your favortie thing to do in your free time? Did you contribute to Addyson and Colton's name selection? Az Mamma is quirky about the sheets, what is your quirk? Do you leave the seat up? What is your favorite room in your house? Are you originally from AZ?  If not what brought you there? If you are from there is there any where else you would like to live? Can the AZ Mamma come visit me?

Do I love Seinfeld as much as AZMAMMA? Does she even like that show? Hahahaha….I like that show, is it as much as her? Not sure :-)

AZ MAMMA is quirky about the sheets…Holy S**t she IS quirky about the sheets! I don’t have quite the breadth of quirks that she does.

Do I leave the seat up? Only on purpose.(No he doesn't...he's very good about it).

What is my favorite room in the house? Our eat-in kitchen…some of the most scrumptious things in the entire world are created in that space just awaiting my consumption…but more importantly, AZMAMMA and I both agree that sitting down as a family for dinner is extremely important. Over the last five years some of my most cherished memories are those that were shared and created while we have broken bread over dinner…

Am I originally from AZ? Nope, my Dad was a career Marine so I don’t have an original home…I ended up in AZ after my short stint in the Army came to a conclusion. I found my first corporate career in PHX.

Can the AZ MAMMA come and visit you? See one of my first answers – AZMAMMA is extremely independent and does not need to ask my permission. In fact, many may say that AZMAMMA wears the pants in the family, so you may be better off asking her this question.

Lula Lola asked: If time and money weren't a factor, how would you spend the next year? And, what's he think is the coolest thing about you?

If money were not a factor how would I spend the next year? I would want to travel to Australia, Ireland, Brazil, Hawaii and Iceland…I would also like to spend several weeks with our out of state family.

Coolest thing about her? She puts up with me.

Sheila of My Crazy Life asked: Why do men start projects and then never totally complete them?
Is this a question for me? If it is, my answer would be that we get distracted by women…

Abby of Murdocks Mama wanted to know: What kind of vehicles do you own? What is your favorite household chore to do/help with? What is your favorite meal that your wife makes?

What kind of vehicles do we own? We own a Ford Expedition (Our second vehicle is one issued to him through work...it's a Mercury).

What is my favorite household chore to do/help with? While I do not consider this a chore, it is a task that needs to be done -- Giving our two young children a bath and getting them ready for bed, followed up by reading them 3 stories.(He does this every night!  Every.single.night.)

My favorite meal? Salmon Scallopini or Stuffed Pork Tenderloin. (Irony of this is I don't make these that often, and neither has been a Tasty Tuesday feature...yet).


That's it!  This is Arizona Mamma again, and I just want to give a huge thank you to my husband for being (mostly) a good sport about this.  Can I let you all in on a little secret?  I did mention this idea to him in a passive way, but I never actually got his consent before I drove forward with it.  He was thrilled, let me tell you!  He thinks I am bound and determined to have him start a blog.  In any case, I think he did a great job.  Thanks again, Andy for taking the better part of an evening to get these answered.  I love you!

The Fish Cake

When I make a promise I deliver!  So here it is, in all it's hideousness splendor, the fish cake.  Honestly, Addyson originally asked for a dinosaur cake.  I didn't know how I would get that done.  Fortunately for me, in her ever fickle way, she changed her mind and settled on this beauty.

This, my friends, is why my cake decorating skills have gone undiscovered for so long.  They simply don't exist.  Addyson, when first she was able to gaze upon her mother's creation, exclaimed "Mama, I asked for a fish cake!"  Pft...that's as good as you're gonna get outta this mama.  "What does it look like?" I ask her.  "A star" is her reply.  Upon further examination, I can certainly see how she came up with that.  In the end I was able to convince her of its fishiness, and all was well.  I will say this for myself...I can bake.  The cake tasted great, and even had homemade cream cheese frosting.

For those of you waiting on my husband's answers...you will more than likely receive them tomorrow.  Possibly, they will be in installments...we'll see. 

Lastly, my current giveaway will end tomorrow and I will announce the winners (that's right, remember there will be two winners?) shortly thereafter.

Oh, maybe not lastly.  I wanted to pass along what another blogger is doing.  Julie at The Peanut Gallery isn't calling this a meme, but she is starting Mommy and Me Mondays.  She is encouraging all of us moms (or dads) to get in the picture with our kiddos.  Too often we are the ones behind the lens.  So on Mondays, get a picture on your blog of you with your child(ren).  Fun challenge for me!  Feel free to link back to her or not (it's the only right thing to do really).  Can't wait to see you all!!

Tasty Tuesday...Kitchen Tips

This week I am bringing a few kitchen tips to the table.  Some you may know, others you may not...but they all come in handy for me from time to time.  A few of these tips are from my very own brother who is an entree chef at Binkley's, a five star restaurant here in Arizona.

Grilling:

1. When grilling meat, bring it to room temperature before placing in on the grill.  This helps to prevent the edges from curling, as well as keeps the cooking more even.
2. If you want a good sear on the meat (like steak), salt it.  This helps to bring the enzymes to the surface and will really help to give it a nice sear.  In addition to salting, make sure it is patted dry, any moisture will cause it to steam rather than sear.

Making Sauces:
1. When making a sauce, finishing it off with a small bit of butter helps to give it a velvety texture.
2. When adding cornstarch to a sauce, mix it with water first to make a slurry (equal parts cornstarch and water).  This will ensure it blends smoothly without leaving clumps.

Vegetables:
1. When blanching/boiling your vegetables, shock them before hand in ice cold water.  This helps to keep the vibrancy of color in the vegetables.  If you don't plan to eat them right away, and plan to reheat them a bit before serving, shock them in the ice water directly after boiling as well.  If you will eat them immediately, then before is enough.
2. When boiling your water, add a little oil to keep it from boiling over.  A tablespoon will do just fine.
3. Don't use potatoes that have gone slightly soft, and have begun to grow a lot of eyes.  With these potatoes you may notice a greenish color under the skin...that is actually a poison/toxin.  Now, you would have to eat large quantities to really be affected, but why even eat a little?  Just toss them out, or use them as mulch for your garden!

There you have it.  Back next Tuesday with a recipe.

Wiping the Slate Clean...and Ask Andy (my hubby) Anything!!!

For starters, I just want to say that I am not planning to do anymore giveaways...at least not for a while, or forever.  I love that I am doing this one, but I think they are pushing me in a direction I am not really ready to follow.  I love blogging, sharing my ideas through this medium, and I love the interaction I often get as a result.  Like many (or I suspect there are many), I had secret hopes of earning money doing this thing.  Ugh...no more is that my desire.  I was beginning to feel like a slave to my blog, obsessed (in a not so good way) about how many people wanted to read what I have to say.  Really, who cares?!  Isn't it nuts when you think about it?  Don't misunderstand...I do like people to read, but my first priority when writing a post should be whatever it is that inspired me to write...not "what will people think if I say this, or do that?" 

When I started blogging, it was just so much fun.  I was excited to post, and I enjoyed what I wrote.  Once I started being more concerned with the numbers of it all, some of that (okay a lot of that) pleasure went right out the window.  So, I'm busting the chains.  I'm letting go of my secret desire to be a millionaire blogger ;)  I'm gonna write about my kids, and show you pictures of the horrific fish cake I made Addyson...really, it's bad...and really I will share.  I'm going to post my recipes, because I love them, and if even one person tries one and likes it, then I have given something in some small way.  I am going to write selfish posts that no one really wants to read (except for my mom, and me in 40 years). 

I wrote this post just a short time ago, and I think I missed the boat.  I meant everything I said in it, and I believe it all 100%, but somehow I still derailed myself. Oh well.  New start.

Not sure what compelled me to explain myself this way...maybe just my way of wiping the slate clean.  Allowing me to get back to what I really loved about blogging to begin with, and if people decide to join me along the way...well, then all the better!

In an effort to do something I think would be a ton of fun...I decided to open the floor to any and all questions.  BUT...the questions are for Andy (my husband).  You can ask him anything you want.  ANYTHING!  Now, I will say this, he does reserve the right to not answer should something be out of line.  But I have faith that nothing will be.  I also give him free reign to answer anything about me.  So, get your typing fingers ready, and ask away.  What, my friends, would you like to know?

Two More Fantastic Giveaways...Adorable Sun Glasses and a Gift Certificate for Some Unique Jewelry

First, here is the winner from the nursing cover giveaway.  I used random.org, but don't know how to capture the picture...so I copied and pasted the results, and here they are:

True Random Number Generator
Min: 1
Max: 19
Result: 13
Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Number 13 is Laura of The Bignell Family.  So come on over, Laura and learn the next step to getting your new nursing cover.  Congratulations, chica!
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Now I have not one, but two more giveaways for you all!  Crazy, huh?  The ladies offering the prizes for you today are sponsors of the Frazier Field Swap.  If you missed out on the most recent swap, shed not a tear...there will be another in November!  You can follow the Frazier Field Swap blog to stay informed.


First up is Myla of Pursenickety.  She is offering one lucky person a pair of her sunglasses.  Here's how to win.

For each entry, be sure to leave a separate comment.
Mandatory entry: 
Head to her blog, choose a pair of sunglasses, and come back to tell me which you chose.

Additional Optional Entries: (worth one entry unless otherwise stated)
Follow my blog publicly (not required...stick around only if you like what you read).
Add my button to your blog
Tweet the giveaway with a link
Blog about the giveaway with a link to this post (2 entries)
Join my Blog Frog Community
Start/participate a discussion in my Blog Frog Community

Next up is Kelly of Bella Be-jeweled.  She has some really unique stuff, and wants to offer one lucky person a gift certificate for $20.00.  Again...how to win:

For each entry, be sure to leave a separate comment.
Mandatory entry:
Head to her blog (via text link), look around , and come back to tell me what you would get with your certificate.

Additional Optional Entries: (worth one entry unless otherwise stated)
Follow my blog publicly (not required...stick around only if you like what you read).
Add my button to your blog
Tweet the giveaway with a link
Blog about the giveaway with a link to this post (2 entries)
Join my Blog Frog Community
Start/participate a discussion in my Blog Frog Community

A huge thank you to these two wonderful women for offering these prizes.  Now get started!  Oh...be sure to tell me for which one you are entering with each comment...you CAN enter for both!!




I was not compensated in any way, monetarily or otherwise to host these giveaways.  I consider it a great opportunity to support these women.